Pulse Radiolysis studies of nanoparticles for future radiation therapy applications

Although radiation therapy has come a long way in the successful treatment of some cancers, there are still problems that arise. The radiation used to treat tumors not only targets malignant cells but healthy cells as well, wreaking havoc by creating reactive free electrons in the aqueous cell environment. We propose the study of gold nanoparticles functionalized with ionic liquids using the radiation chemistry technique, pulse radiolysis, in order to test their viability as a mitigating “shield” against the collateral damage during radiation therapy. Gold nanoparticles have already been shown to have favorable radiation chemistry, quenching free electrons and preventing radical reactions however the radiation effects on the proposed ionic liquids are unknown. Furthermore our ionic liquids have shown increased stabilization of the gold nanoparticles in solution (lasting months) as well as antimicrobial properties. TO BE CONT’D

Faculty Supervisor:

Khashayar Ghandi;Paul A Rowntree

Student:

Partner:

Université Paris-Saclay

Discipline:

Physics

Sector:

Education

University:

University of Guelph

Program: