www.tjprc.org editor@tjprc.org International Journal of Nanotechnology and Application (IJNA) ISSN(P): 2277-4777; ISSN(E): 2278-9391 Vol. 3, Issue 4, Apr 2014, 7-14 © TJPRC Pvt. Ltd. A SUPERFICIAL SYNTHESIS OF SELENIUM NANOSPHERES USING WET CHEMICAL APPROACH SONAM MALHOTRA 1 , NEETU JHA 2 & KRUTIKA DESAI 3 1 School of Science, SVKM’s NMIMS, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India 2 Institute of Chemical Technology, Matunga, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India 3 SVKM’s Mithibai College of Arts, Chauhan Institute of Science, Amrutben Jivanlal College of Commerce and Economics, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India ABSTRACT Dextrin stabilized Selenium spherical nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized from a simple and a wet chemical approach by reducing sodium selenite, a selenium salt with Ascorbic Acid at room temperature in this study. The stirring effect and the effect of varied ratios were studied on controlling the nucleation of the nanoparticles (20-30nm) and reducing the polydispersity index. The nanoparticles were coated with dextrin maintaining the stability of the nanoparticles. The morphology and purity of the obtained nanoparticles were studied using various analytical tools. KEYWORDS: Selenium, Nanoparticles, Dextrin, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Selenite and Polydispersity Index INTRODUCTION Selenium is a metalloid from chalcogen family in the periodic table (group 16). It can exist in a range of oxidation states from +6 to -2 [1]. Selenium having a direct band gap of 1.7eV is a semiconductor with properties such as photoconductivity, photosensitivity and is used in xerography, rectifiers etc. Selenium is an essential micronutrient and can also play a major role in human body by enhancing the activity of the glutathione peroxidase and seleno-enzymes which in-turn can help in protecting the body from the free radicals which destroy the cells of the body causing autoimmune diseases. Selenium is commonly used as a nutritional supplement and the effects of selenium have been shown only after higher concentration of the selenium is added to the diet [2]. Over a decade nanoparticles have been used for many aspects and are defined as particulate dispersions or solid particles with a size in the range of 10-1000nm. Due to their size the properties get conditioned giving a lager surface area compared to bulk material. Materials made up in such a way will have atoms that have more contact with the external environment; whereas those which are considered as bulk hold the atoms closer to its center [3]. Most commonly used nanoparticles which have biomedical applications are silver, gold, zinc, etc. For this study, an essential mineral Selenium (Se) was used. Se nanoparticles (Nano-Se) are paid much attention in the field of medicine due to their excellent high biological activities and lower toxicities. Selenium Nanoparticles can be used for their effect on the treatment of some human disorders as a nanomedicine. Although recently it is understood that selenium can play a significant role in cancer prevention and possibly therapy [4]. In the present study preparation of selenium nanoparticles (elemental form) was carried out in one step process using chemical method of reduction. A green chemical approach using Ascorbic acid as a reductant is fabricated. Ascorbic Acid is one of the most important vitamins, due to its antioxidant and pH regulator properties; often being added