Industrial-scale chemical synthesis of gold nanorods: process optimization and 30 L scale-up toward GMP manufacturing
Authors
Filippo Capancioni, Emanuela Bua, Erica Locatelli, Richard Jasinski, David Perrey, Tia Cervarich, Mauro Comes Franchini
Published in Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, 17 January 2026
Abstract
Gold nanorods (GNRs) offer unique photonic properties but remain challenging to reproduce and scale beyond bench volumes. We identify the critical process parameters (CPPs) governing the seed-mediated synthesis of CTAB-stabilized GNRs and translate the process from 30 mL to 30 L. Silver nitrate loading, seed formation (temperature and NaBH4-addition mixing), and growth-phase hydrodynamics emerge as key drivers of the longitudinal LSPR (LLSPR). Tight control of seed temperature and vigorous mixing during reductant addition yield batch-to-batch LLSPR variations within ± 20 nm; introducing gentle agitation during growth suppresses uncontrolled thermal convection, further improving robustness. The optimized protocol produces optically consistent GNRs at 3 L and 30 L with plasmonic features comparable to lab scale. Beyond the experimental advance, this work frames an industrially relevant route to large-scale chemical production of GNRs, establishing process understanding, reproducibility, and quality criteria that underpin future GMP manufacturing design and ongoing regulatory interactions.