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Wednesday, 15th July 2009 (5872 views)

Scientists at the world's first bioengineering and nanotechnology research institute have developed a new, environmentally-friendly process to extract metals that are soluble in water, such as gold, for the synthesis of nanoparticles.

Researchers at the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN) in Singapore successful transferred metal ions from water to an organic medium by mixing a solution of metal salts dissolved in water with an ethanol solution of dodecylamine, or DDA.

Metals in water bond with the DDA and can therefore be extracted using an organic solvent such as toluene, which floats in water.

IBN research scientist Dr Jun Yang said the process could significantly cut the time and effort needed to synthesise nanoparticles without producing any toxic chemicals.

He added that the protocol could also be employed to tackle "long-term economic and healthcare problems" by extracting heavy metals such as mercury or lead from polluted water.

 

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