Application of central composite design for optimization of biosynthesized gold nanoparticles via sonochemical method

Exploring new techniques for synthesising, characterising, optimising, and correlating the impact of different variables for the production of nanoparticles are key features of contemporary researchers. Gold nanoparticles were synthesized using ultrasound radiation and palm oil frond extracts (POFE) as a stabilising agent. A full factorial design, five levels, and four factors experimental design were employed to optimize the process. Four different independent variables: concentration of HAuCl4 center dot 3H(2)O, concentration of POFE, sonication amplitude, and sonication time were considered in the optimisation process. Central composite design and the surface response methodology were used to evaluating the individual and mutual correlation between the regulating variables and the response leading to the optimisation condition. The "adj. R-square" and the "pred. R-square" together with the regressional equations of the hydrodynamical size and p values ( P-size = 0.0001) demonstrated that the data are well fitted into the model. The predicted value of the average hydrodynamical size (40 nm) at the optimum level is about 95% in agreement with the observed value.