Unconjugated Gold Sols - Gold Colloids

Nanometer-sized gold particles of uniform shape and size are invaluable tools in nanotechnology (assembled arrays), light scattering (elastic - plasmon resonance; inelastic - Raman effect) and for single molecule detection. Gold nanoparticles can be attached to proteins, alkanethiols and DNA by various methods. Silver nanoparticles are evolving similar functional characteristics to their gold counterparts.

Ted Pella, Inc. is the leader in offering a wide range of gold nanoparticles for these applications. Talk to our applications engineer to find out about the new developments/applications. We are constantly developing new gold colloids for new nanotechnology applications.

The nanometer sized gold colloids can be characterized as follows:

• Monodispersed gold nanoparticles supplied in water, having trace amounts of citrate, tannic acid and potassium carbonate
• Citrate stabilized with a net negative surface charge (Langmuir 2005, 21:9303-9307)
• Gold colloid pH's range from above 5 for 5nm gold to less than 9 for the larger sized particles (pH increases with size).
• Available in a size range from 5 to 250nm
• The particles are invaluable tools for light scattering, either Raman or plasmon resonance (Analytical Chemistry 1999, 71:4903-4908; Analytical BioChemistry 1998, 262:137-156)

5nm to 250nm sizes scatter light to different degrees and the solution color changes with increasing particle size.

These products are known to be stable for a minimum of one year after opening. To avoid contamination after opening, it is best to handle the product under clean room conditions to avoid contamination by dust or other airborne contaminants. Temperatures for storage, after opening, can vary from 4-8°C (39-46°F) to room temperature depending on whether the application is diagnostic or research oriented. The colloid is stable on boiling and destroyed by freezing. When storing the product below 8°C (46°F) it is the customer's responsibility to ensure that their refrigerator can maintain a constant temperature in the range noted above.

SDS Safety Data Sheet for Unconjugated Gold Sols (88KB PDF)