TY - JOUR A1 - Schmidt, Benita A1 - Pergantis, S. A. A1 - Esteban-Fernández, Diego A1 - Jakubowski, Norbert A1 - Günther, D. T1 - Investigation of a combined microdroplet generator and pneumatic nebulization system for rapid quantitative determination of metal-containing nanoparticles using ICP-MS N2 - In this work, a routinely applicable approach is presented to characterize metal NPs. Individual droplets generated from a microdroplet generator (MDG) were merged into an aerosol generated by a pneumatic nebulizer (PN) and introduced into an ICPMS. The MDG offers high transport efficiency of individual and discrete droplets and was therefore used to establish a calibration function for mass quantification of NPs which were introduced through the PN following the single particle procedure as described elsewhere. The major advantages of such a combined configuration include fast processing of large sample volumes, fast exchanges of different sample matrixes, and the calibration of the NP signal using traceable elemental standards, thus avoiding the need to use NP reference materials or other, not always thoroughly characterized, commercially available NPs. The transport efficiency of the sample introduction is calculated based on the fact that 100% of the calibrant reaches the plasma through the MDG, whereas for the PN a NP suspension containing a known number concentration is used. Alternatively, bulk analysis of the NP material allows transport efficiency determination without any additional information from reference NPs. With this method, we could determine the size of standard silver NPs at 60.4 ± 1.0 nm and 80.0 ± 1.4 nm, respectively, which agrees with the size ranges given by the supplier (60.8 ± 6.6 nm and 79.8 ± 5.4 nm). Furthermore, we were also able to determine the NPs number concentration of the sample (Ag/Au) with a deviation of 3.2% the expected value. KW - Nanoparticles KW - ICP-MS KW - Microdroplet generator PY - 2015 DO - https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.analchem.5b01604 SN - 0003-2700 SN - 1520-6882 VL - 87 IS - 17 SP - 8687 EP - 8694 PB - American Chemical Society CY - Washington, DC AN - OPUS4-34803 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Hodoroaba, Vasile-Dan A1 - Rades, Steffi A1 - Salge, T. A1 - Mielke, Johannes A1 - Ortel, Erik A1 - Schmidt, R. T1 - Characterisation of nanoparticles by means of high-resolution SEM/EDS N2 - Advances in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) enable the high-resolution imaging of single nanoparticles (NPs) with sizes well below 10 nm. The SEM analysis in transmission mode (T-SEM) of NPs on thin film supports has many benefits when compared to the analysis of NPs on bulk substrates. The enhanced material (mass - thickness) contrast of the T-SEM imaging mode is well suited for in-depth and, particularly valuable, to very accurate, traceable, lateral dimensional measurements of NPs. Compared to samples prepared on bulk substrates, T-SEM with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) achieves a drastically improved spatial resolution of the emitted X-rays. The poor signal-to-noise ratio of the X-ray spectra emitted by a single nanoparticle (NP) can be improved by the use of high-sensitivity (high collection solid angle) silicon drift (SDD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometers (EDS). The EDS spectral imaging of a single NP with a spatial resolution below 10 nm has become possible. This is demonstrated by means of various examples of nanostructures. Advanced data processing of T-SEM/EDS results sets the stage for the automated classification of NPs by feature analysis. This method combines the detection of morphological structures of interest by image processing of T-SEM micrographs with the chemical classification by EDS. T2 - EMAS 2015 - 14th European workshop on modern developments and applications in microbeam analysis CY - Portoroz, Slovenia DA - 03.05.2015 KW - SEM KW - T-SEM KW - EDX KW - Nanoparticles KW - High-resolution PY - 2015 SN - 978-90-8227-691-6 DO - https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/109/1/012006 SP - NUR code:972 - Materials Science, 187-199 AN - OPUS4-33258 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Felbeck, T. A1 - Mundinger, S. A1 - Lezhnina, M.M. A1 - Staniford, M. A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute A1 - Kynast, U.H. T1 - Multifold fluorescence enhancement in nanoscopic fluorophore-clay hybrids in transparent aqueous media N2 - Valuable emissive properties of organic fluorophores have become indispensable analytical tools in biophotonics, but frequently suffer from low solubilities and radiationless deactivation in aqueous media, that is, in biological ambience as well. In this report, nanoscaled dye–clay hybrids based on laponite, Na0.7{(Li0.3Mg5.5)[Si8O20(OH)4]}, are taken advantage of to solubilize neutral dyes, which are natively not encountered in water. Previously reported efficiency and solubility bottlenecks of such hybrids can to a large extent be overcome by comparably simple chemical measures, as demonstrated here for two prominent examples, the fluorescent dyes Nile Red and Coumarin 153. On controlled co-adsorption of small bifunctional quaternary ammonium ions (Me3N+C2H5OH and Me3N+C2H5NH2) we observed an outright efficiency boost by an order of magnitude, and a 30-fold brightness gain. Even at higher concentrations, transparency and stability of the hybrid dispersions are retained, rendering them useful for employment as optically functional nanoparticles in bioassays and beyond. KW - Biophotonics KW - Clay KW - Fluorescence KW - Hybrids KW - Nanoparticles PY - 2015 DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.201406416 SN - 0947-6539 SN - 1521-3765 VL - 21 IS - 20 SP - 7582 EP - 7587 PB - Wiley-VCH Verl. CY - Weinheim AN - OPUS4-33816 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Zhang, G. A1 - Häusler, Ines A1 - Österle, Werner A1 - Wetzel, B. A1 - Jim, B. T1 - Formation and function mechanisms of nanostructured tribofilms of epoxy-based hybrid nanocomposites N2 - The nanostructures and properties of the tribofilms of epoxy (EP) composites filled with short carbon fibers (SCF) and different volume fractions of monodisperse silica nanoparticles were investigated. When the conventional composite filled only with SCF was considered under a high pv condition, an iron oxide layer is formed on the steel counterface. The addition of even only 0.05 vol% nano-silica leads to a significant change of the tribofilm's structure and the tribological behavior of the composite. With increasing silica content, the oxidation layer on the steel surface is gradually replaced by a silica-based tribofilm. A close relationship between the tribofilms’ structure and the tribological behavior of the composites was identified. Mixing, possible reactions and tribo-sintering of silica nanoparticles with other wear products are deemed to be main mechanisms inducing the formation and the lubricity of the silica-based tribofilm. KW - Polymer-matrix composite KW - Sliding wear KW - Tribofilm KW - Nanoparticles KW - Tribo-sintering PY - 2015 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wear.2015.08.025 SN - 0043-1648 VL - 342-343 SP - 181 EP - 188 PB - Elsevier B.V. CY - Amsterdam AN - OPUS4-34442 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Lak, A. A1 - Thünemann, Andreas A1 - Schilling, M. A1 - Ludwig, F. T1 - Resolving particle size modality in bi-modal iron oxide nanoparticle suspensions N2 - Particle size modality in bi-modal iron oxide suspensions was resolved by exploiting complex ac-susceptibility (ACS), small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and photon cross-correlation spectroscopy. To explain dynamic magnetic response of bi-modal suspensions, the Debye model was expanded to a linear superposition form allowing for the contribution of both particle fractions. This modified and adopted model is able to resolve the bi-modal particle size distributions. The SAXS curves of mono- and bi-modal suspensions were fitted well using a Monte Carlo simulation scheme, allowing the detection of bi-modal particle size distributions with high precision. KW - Iron oxide nanoparticle KW - Bi-modal size distribution characterization KW - Complex ac-susceptibility KW - Small angle X-ray scattering KW - Modeling KW - Nanotechnology KW - SAXS KW - Nanoparticles PY - 2015 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmmm.2014.08.050 SN - 0304-8853 VL - 380 SP - 140 EP - 143 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam AN - OPUS4-32563 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Löwa, N. A1 - Knappe, Patrick A1 - Wiekhorst, F. A1 - Eberbeck, D. A1 - Thünemann, Andreas A1 - Trahms, L. T1 - Hydrodynamic and magnetic fractionation of superparamagnetic nanoparticles for magnetic particle imaging N2 - Resovist® originally developed as a clinical liver contrast agent for Magnetic Resonance Imaging exhibits also an outstanding performance as a tracer in Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI). In order to study the physical mechanism of the high MPI performance of Resovist®, we applied asymmetric flow field–flow fractionation (A4F) and static magnetic fractionation (SMF) to separate Resovist® into a set of fractions with defined size classes. As A4F based on an elution method separates MNP according to their hydrodynamic size, SMF fractionates a particle distribution by its magnetic moment. The obtained fractions of both separation techniques were then magnetically characterized by magnetorelaxometry measurements to extract the corresponding effective magnetic anisotropy and hydrodynamic size distribution parameters. Additionally, the MPI performance of each fraction was assessed using magnetic particle spectroscopy. With both separation techniques fractions (normalized to their iron amount) an MPI signal gain of a factor of two could be obtained, even though the distribution of effective anisotropy and hydrodynamic size were significantly different. Relating these findings to the results from magnetic characterization allows for a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of MPI performance of Resovist®. This knowledge may help to improve the design of novel MPI tracers and development of separation methods. KW - Superparamagnetic nanoparticles KW - Asymmetric flow field–flow fractionation KW - Magnetic particle spectroscopy KW - Magnetorelaxometry KW - Magnetic separation KW - Magnetic particle imaging KW - Resovist® KW - Nanotechnology KW - SAXS KW - Nanoparticles PY - 2015 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmmm.2014.08.057 SN - 0304-8853 VL - 380 SP - 266 EP - 270 PB - Elsevier B.V. CY - Amsterdam AN - OPUS4-32562 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Löwa, N. A1 - Knappe, Patrick A1 - Wiekhorst, F. A1 - Eberbeck, D. A1 - Thünemann, Andreas A1 - Trahms, L. T1 - How hydrodynamic fractionation influences MPI performance of resovist N2 - We studied the magnetic resonance imaging liver contrast agent Resovist by a variety of magnetic measurement techniques, in order to understand the physical mechanism of their high magnetic particle imaging (MPI) performance, wirh a focus on the size-dependent contributions of the MPI signal. To this end, we used asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation to separate Resovist into a set of fractions with defined hydrodynamic diameters. The individual fractions were magnetically characterized by static magnetization and magnetorelaxometry measurements to obtain the corresponding effective magnetic anisotropy and effective size distribution parameters. In addition, the MPI performance of each fraction was assessed by magnetic particle spectroscopy. We observed an MPI signal gain of about 100% with respect to their iron amount for the best fraction. Relating these finding to the results from magnetic characterization provides more insight into mechanisms of MPI performance of Resovist. This knowledge may help to improve the design of novel MPI tracers. KW - Nanotechnology KW - Nanoparticles KW - Asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation KW - Magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) KW - Magnetic particle imaging (MPI) KW - Magnetic particle spectroscopy KW - Magnetic separation KW - Magnetorelaxometry (MRX) KW - Resovist PY - 2015 DO - https://doi.org/10.1109/TMAG.2014.2326833 SN - 0018-9464 SN - 1941-0069 VL - 51 IS - 2 SP - 5300104-1 EP - 5300104-4 PB - Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers CY - New York, NY AN - OPUS4-33337 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Breßler, Ingo A1 - Kohlbrecher, J. A1 - Thünemann, Andreas T1 - SASfit: a tool for small-angle scattering data analysis using a library of analytical expressions N2 - SASfit is one of the mature programs for small-angle scattering data analysis and has been available for many years. This article describes the basic data processing and analysis workflow along with recent developments in the SASfit program package (version 0.94.6). They include (i) advanced algorithms for reduction of oversampled data sets, (ii) improved confidence assessment in the optimized model parameters and (iii) a flexible plug-in system for custom user-provided models. A scattering function of a mass fractal model of branched polymers in solution is provided as an example for implementing a plug-in. The new SASfit release is available for major platforms such as Windows, Linux and MacOS. To facilitate usage, it includes comprehensive indexed documentation as well as a web-based wiki for peer collaboration and online videos demonstrating basic usage. The use of SASfit is illustrated by interpretation of the small-angle X-ray scattering curves of monomodal gold nanoparticles (NIST reference material 8011) and bimodal silica nanoparticles (EU reference material ERM-FD-102). KW - Small-angle X-ray scattering KW - Small-angle neutron scattering KW - Curve fitting KW - Nanotechnology KW - Nanoparticles KW - Polymers KW - SAXS PY - 2015 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-343348 DO - https://doi.org/10.1107/S1600576715016544 SN - 0021-8898 SN - 1600-5767 VL - 48 SP - 1587 EP - 1598 PB - Blackwell CY - Oxford AN - OPUS4-34334 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Breßler, Ingo A1 - Pauw, Brian Richard A1 - Thünemann, Andreas T1 - McSAS: software for the retrieval of model parameter distributions from scattering patterns N2 - A user-friendly open-source Monte Carlo regression package (McSAS) is presented, which structures the analysis of small-angle scattering (SAS) using uncorrelated shape-similar particles (or scattering contributions). The underdetermined problem is solvable, provided that sufficient external information is available. Based on this, the user picks a scatterer contribution model (or 'shape') from a comprehensive library and defines variation intervals of its model parameters. A multitude of scattering contribution models are included, including prolate and oblate nanoparticles, core-shell objects, several polymer models, and a model for densely packed spheres. Most importantly, the form-free Monte Carlo nature of McSAS means it is not necessary to provide further restrictions on the mathematical form of the parameter distribution; without prior knowledge, McSAS is able to extract complex multimodal or odd-shaped parameter distributions from SAS data. When provided with data on an absolute scale with reasonable uncertainty estimates, the software outputs model parameter distributions in absolute volume fraction, and provides the modes of the distribution (e.g. mean, variance etc.). In addition to facilitating the evaluation of (series of) SAS curves, McSAS also helps in assessing the significance of the results through the addition of uncertainty estimates to the result. The McSAS software can be integrated as part of an automated reduction and analysis procedure in laboratory instruments or at synchrotron beamlines. KW - Nanotechnology KW - Nanoparticles KW - Small-angle X-ray scattering KW - SAXS PY - 2015 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-334396 DO - https://doi.org/10.1107/S1600576715007347 SN - 0021-8898 SN - 1600-5767 VL - 48 IS - 3 SP - 962 EP - 969 PB - Blackwell CY - Oxford AN - OPUS4-33439 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Sötebier, Carina A1 - Bierkandt, Frank A1 - Rades, Steffi A1 - Jakubowski, Norbert A1 - Panne, Ulrich A1 - Weidner, Steffen T1 - Sample loss in asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation coupled to inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry of silver nanoparticles N2 - In this work, sample losses of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) in asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) have been systematically investigated with the main focus on instrumental conditions like focusing and cross-flow parameters as well as sample concentration and buffer composition. Special attention was drawn to the AF4 membrane. For monitoring possible silver depositions on the membrane, imaging laser ablation coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) was used. Our results show that the sample residue on the membrane was below 0.6% of the total injected amount and therefore could be almost completely avoided at low sample concentrations and optimized conditions. By investigation of the AF4 flows using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), we found the recovery rate in the detector flow under optimized conditions to be nearly 90%, while the cross-flow, slot-outlet flow and purge flow showed negligible amounts of under 0.5%. The analysis of an aqueous ionic Ag standard solution resulted in recovery rates of over 6% and the ionic Ag content in the sample was found to be nearly 8%. Therefore, we were able to indicate the ionic Ag content as the most important source of sample loss in this study. KW - Asymmetric flow filed-flow fractionation KW - ICP-MS KW - Nanoparticles KW - Sample loss KW - Quantification PY - 2015 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-336171 DO - https://doi.org/10.1039/c5ja00297d SN - 0267-9477 SN - 1364-5544 VL - 30 IS - 10 SP - 2214 EP - 2222 PB - Royal Society of Chemistry CY - London AN - OPUS4-33617 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -