4325180

Shaped synthesis of magnesium nanoparticles using electrochemistry

Date
August 20, 2025



Nanoparticles (NPs) are of interest in the medicinal field due to the high surface area allowing for adsorption of therapeutic drug molecules or for direct use in cancer treatment by photothermal ablation treatment. Nanoparticles are ideal for photothermal therapies because they can be used to generate localized hyperthermia when irradiated, which destroys cancer cells. Issues arise with accumulation and toxicity within the body, however magnesium nanoparticles may be exempt from these issues as there is potential for the general absorption of the particles rather than excretion. While magnesium nanoparticles may provide an advantageous alternative to currently employed nanoparticles, there are significant challenges in their synthesis due to the standard reduction potential of magnesium. Current solution phase methods require harsh reagents in an anhydrous environment which limits further research on the tunability and application of magnesium NPs. By employing a twin cell electrochemical setup, magnesium nanoparticles can be grown in an acidic aqueous solution onto a glassy carbon electrode using a potential of -2.8 volts preceded with microburst at -3.5 volts to seed the surface. Coupling the reducing power of an electrochemical set-up with standard solution phase components such as surfactants allows for the formation of discrete magnesium nanoparticles. This simple setup and use of a potentiostat to control the reduction allows for consistent and tunable results in a rapid timeframe.

Presenter

Co-Author

Speaker Image for Melissa King
Clarkson University

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