Small-sized silver nanoparticles for studies of biological effects

The influence of the hydration extent, AOT and silver ion concentration on average particle size and size distribution in micellar solution of silver nanoparticles obtained by biochemical synthesis was investigated. Formation and stability of nanoparticles were controlled by measurements of optical absorption spectra. Particle sizes were determined by transmission electron microscopy. Combinations of varied parameters have been found, making it possible to prepare three micellar solutions of spherical silver nanoparticles with a different average size in the range 4.6–10.5 nm and narrow size distribution (the standard deviation does not exceed 2.5 nm). For the water dispersions prepared from such solutions by the specially developed procedure, possible applications for studies of size effects in the biological action of nanoparticles are also discussed.