UV-Visible Spectroscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy Analysis of Gold Nanoparticles Exposed to Varying Doses of Ionizing Radiation

Abstract

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) exhibit strong X-ray absorption, making them promising candidates for enhancing medical diagnostics and X-ray imaging. However, understanding their behaviour under ionizing radiation is crucial for their safe and effective clinical translation. This study examines the impact of varying X-ray irradiation doses on the morphology and physicochemical properties of AuNPs. AuNPs synthesized via the classical Turkevich method were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) before and after irradiation. Our findings demonstrate dose-dependent alterations in the optical and structural characteristics of the nanoparticles, providing valuable insights into their radiation-induced transformations and potential implications for their biomedical applications.