TY - CONF A1 - Thünemann, Andreas T1 - Developtment of Nanoplastics Reference Materials at BAM N2 - Engineered particles are essential for sustainable innovation and modern industrial applications, but their reliable, number‑based characterisation remains a major challenge. Regulatory frameworks in healthcare, personal care (EU 745/2017, 749/2017, 1223/2009), and environmental monitoring—such as the EU Drinking Water Directive 21840/2020—demand robust particle measurements across complex matrices. Yet standardised methods currently exist only for simple particle systems, leaving significant gaps for technologically relevant materials and for micro‑ and nanoplastics as emerging pollutants. These challenges are amplified by the lack of well‑defined input parameters, particularly density and refractive index, which are critical for many analytical and modelling approaches. This talk highlights BAM’s work on developing nanoplastics reference materials to support validated, traceable, and harmonised measurement methods. I will outline strategies for producing stable, well‑characterised polymeric nanoparticles, establishing accurate material parameters, and integrating these reference materials into interlaboratory and standardisation activities. These efforts provide the metrological foundation urgently needed for regulatory testing, environmental monitoring, and industry innovation. T2 - ConcenSus Virtual Webinar on Reference Materials supporting characterization of nanomaterials: Current status and future trends CY - Online meeting DA - 17.03.2026 KW - Nanoplastics KW - Nanoparticle PY - 2026 AN - OPUS4-65717 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Leiterer, Jork A1 - Panne, Ulrich A1 - Thünemann, Andreas A1 - Weidner, Steffen T1 - Container-less polymerization in acoustically levitated droplets: an analytical study by GPC and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry N2 - Molecular masses and end groups of polystyrene (PS) formed in a novel container-less polymerization strategy, based on levitated droplets in an acoustic trap, were determined by Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) and Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time of Flight Mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). KW - Ultraschallfalle KW - MALDI Massenspektrometrie KW - Polymerisation PY - 2011 DO - https://doi.org/10.1039/c0ay00390e SN - 1759-9660 SN - 1759-9679 VL - 3 IS - 1 SP - 70 EP - 73 PB - RSC Publ. CY - Cambridge AN - OPUS4-23655 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Polte, Jörg A1 - Herder, Martin A1 - Erler, Robert A1 - Rolf, Simone A1 - Fischer, A. A1 - Würth, Christian A1 - Thünemann, Andreas A1 - Kraehnert, R. A1 - Emmerling, Franziska T1 - Mechanistic insights into seeded growth processes of gold nanoparticles N2 - A facile approach for the synthesis of monodisperse gold nanoparticles with radii in the range of 7 to 20 nm is presented. Starting from monodisperse seeds with radii of 7 nm, produced in the first step, the addition of a defined amount of additional precursor material permits distinct size regulation and the realization of predicted nanoparticle sizes. These information were derived from ex- and in situ investigations by comprehensive small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) and UV-Vis data to obtain information on the physicochemical mechanisms. The obtained mechanisms can be transferred to other seeded growth processes. Compared to similar approaches, the presented synthesis route circumvents the use of different reducing or stabilizing agents. The size of resulting nanoparticles can be varied over a large size range presented for the first time without a measurable change in the shape, polydispersity or surface chemistry. Thus, the resulting nanoparticles are ideal candidates for size dependence investigations. KW - Gold nanoparticles KW - SAXS KW - XANES KW - Growth mechanism PY - 2010 DO - https://doi.org/10.1039/c0nr00541j SN - 2040-3364 SN - 2040-3372 VL - 2 IS - 11 SP - 2463 EP - 2469 PB - RSC Publ. CY - Cambridge AN - OPUS4-22346 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Polte, Jörg A1 - Emmerling, Franziska A1 - Radtke, Martin A1 - Reinholz, Uwe A1 - Riesemeier, Heinrich A1 - Thünemann, Andreas T1 - Real-time monitoring of copolymer stabilized growing gold nanoparticles N2 - A great challenge in the production of nanoparticles with defined sizes and properties is to control their growth in situ. We developed a dedicated combined small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) setup to monitor nanoparticle formation in solution. The capabilities of simultaneously deriving particle sizes and oxidation states of atoms/ions are illustrated for the formation of spherical gold nanoparticles by the reduction of hydrogen tetrachloroaureate (HAuCl4). Particles with initial radii of 4.60 ± 0.10 nm and final radii of 5.67 ± 0.10 nm were produced in a levitated droplet with a volume of 4 µL. An ethylene oxide/propylene oxide triblock copolymer PEO-PPO-PEO (Pluronic F-127) functions as reducing agent and colloidal stabilizer. XANES shows in situ how the gold was reduced in the droplet from Au(III) to Au(0), and simultaneously SAXS recorded the size distribution of the formed nanoparticles. It is shown that the final particle number is reached quickly. Thereafter, only the particles’ sizes increase. Comparison of XANES and SAXS shows that the quantity of Au(0) is higher than the quantity of gold located in the nanoparticles while the particles are growing. Finally, all the Au(0) is found in the nanoparticles. We tentatively attribute this finding to the pseudo crown ether effect of the polymer surfactant that kinetically stabilizes gold atoms when formed from gold ions within their protecting cavity. A simple “burst” mechanism for the gold nanoparticle formation is the consequence. The possibility of an inhomogeneous particles structure with an enhanced density near the particle surface is discussed. PY - 2010 DO - https://doi.org/10.1021/la903829q SN - 0743-7463 SN - 1520-5827 VL - 26 IS - 8 SP - 5889 EP - 5894 PB - American Chemical Society CY - Washington, DC AN - OPUS4-21223 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Polte, Jörg A1 - Kraehnert, R. A1 - Radtke, Martin A1 - Reinholz, Uwe A1 - Riesemeier, Heinrich A1 - Thünemann, Andreas A1 - Emmerling, Franziska T1 - New insights of the nucleation and growth process of gold nanoparticles via in situ coupling of SAXS and XANES N2 - Although metallic nanoparticles play an important role in the area of nanotechnology, a coherent mechanistic explanation for the evolution of the particles during their chemical synthesis has not yet been provided in many cases. To gain a profound understanding of the growth mechanism of colloidal nanoparticles, new approaches using Small Angle X-Ray Scattering (SAXS) combined with X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) are presented. This combination allows for insights into two prominent syntheses routes of gold nanoparticles (GNP): The 'slow' reaction using sodium citrate (30-90 min) as a reducing agent and the 'fast' reaction employing NaBH4 (within few seconds). In the first case data derived with the coupled XANES and SAXS suggests a four-step particle formation mechanism. For the second system a time resolution in the order of 100-200 ms was achieved by coupling a common laboratory SAXS instrument with a microstructured mixer, which allows data acquisition in a continuous-flow mode. The results indicate a coalescence driven growth process. Based on the capabilities to deduce the size, number and polydispersity of the particles, the results of both methods enable the development of mechanistic schemes explaining the different phases of particle formation and growth, thus providing a basis for improved control over the synthesis processes. KW - SAXS KW - XANES KW - Nanoparticle formation PY - 2010 DO - https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/247/1/012051 SN - 1742-6588 SN - 1742-6596 VL - 247 IS - 1 SP - 012051-1 - 012051-10 PB - IOP Publ. CY - Bristol, UK AN - OPUS4-22684 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Polte, Jörg A1 - Erler, Robert A1 - Thünemann, Andreas A1 - Emmerling, Franziska A1 - Kraehnert, R. T1 - SAXS in combination with a free liquid jet for improved time-resolved in situ studies of the nucleation and growth of nanoparticles PY - 2010 DO - https://doi.org/10.1039/c0cc03238g SN - 0022-4936 SN - 0009-241x SN - 1359-7345 SN - 1364-548x VL - 46 IS - 48 SP - 9209 EP - 9211 PB - Royal Society of Chemistry CY - Cambridge AN - OPUS4-23049 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Sieg, Holger A1 - Heilscher, Jasmin A1 - Ott, Franziska A1 - Böhmert, Linda A1 - Drusch, Stephan A1 - Thünemann, Andreas A1 - Rohn, Sascha A1 - Braeuning, Albert A1 - Kieserling, Helena T1 - Direct Interactions of Micro- and Nanoplastics with Proteins – A Key to Mechanistic Understanding? N2 - Micro-/Nanoplastics (MNP) have gained widespread scientific and public attention within the last two decades. While knowledge about measuring techniques, occurrence and exposure was improved substantially, questions on toxicological impact of MNP remained unclear. A major reason for that are the continued remaining knowledge gaps with regard to mechanistical understanding of MNP effects. Our work aimed at investigating MNP properties, protein interactions, and cellular effects in combination. Therefore, we characterized MNP-protein- adsorption, changes in protein structure, cellular uptake and cellular modes of action. In a first study, we studied the molecular interactions of β-lactoglobulin, a serum and storage protein, with different MNP materials1. We identified structural changes, depending on physicochemical MNP properties, using FTIR- and fluorescence spectroscopy. Furthermore, we investigated cellular uptake of MNP individually and as a complex with β-lactoglobulin and studied the effects on cell growth and viability, using colorimetric MTT testing, flow cytometry, and cell impedance measurements. MNP material properties, especially hydrophobicity, had an impact on protein folding and consequently also on cellular interactions. In a second study, we applied α-amylase, an extracellular digestive protein with enzymatic activity. Here, in addition, we investigated the influence of MNP binding on enzyme activity, using a colorimetric starch degradation assay. We observed for the most MNP, that adsorption processes resulted in a decrease of enzyme activity. Furthermore, we used Alexa633 staining to visualize MNP uptake with and without the presence of α-amylase. Taken together, this work aims to close data gaps regarding mechanistical effects of MNP on cells by investigating direct MNP-protein-interactions. Mechanistic knowledge is crucial for understanding toxicological effects of MNP, and therefore, also for the risk assessment of possible hazards on human health. T2 - 92. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Experimentelle und Klinische Pharmakologie und Toxikologie (DGPT) CY - Düsseldorf, Germany DA - 17.03.2026 KW - Microplastics KW - Nanoplastics PY - 2026 AN - OPUS4-65667 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Thünemann, Andreas A1 - Knappe, Patrick A1 - Bienert, Ralf A1 - Weidner, Steffen T1 - Online coupling of field-flow fractionation with SAXS and DLS for polymer analysis N2 - We report on a hyphenated polymer analysis method consisting of asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation (A4F) coupled online with small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). A mixture of six poly(styrene sulfonate)s with molar masses in the range of 6.5 × 103 to 1.0 × 106 g mol-1 was used as a model system for polyelectrolytes in aqueous solutions with a broad molar mass distribution. A complete polymer separation and analysis was performed in 60 min. Detailed information for all polymer fractions are available on i) the radii of gyration, which were determined from the SAXS data interpretation in terms of the Debye model (Gaussian chains), and ii) the diffusion coefficients (from DLS). We recommend using the A4F-SAXS-DLS coupling as a possible new reference method for the detailed analysis of complex polymer mixtures. Advantages of the use of SAXS are seen in comparison to static light scattering for polymers with radii of gyration smaller then 15 nm, for which only SAXS produces precise analytical results on the size of the polymers in solution. PY - 2009 DO - https://doi.org/10.1039/b9ay00107g SN - 1759-9660 SN - 1759-9679 VL - 1 SP - 177 EP - 182 PB - RSC Publ. CY - Cambridge AN - OPUS4-20567 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Fandrich, Nick A1 - Falkenhagen, Jana A1 - Weidner, Steffen A1 - Staal, B. A1 - Thünemann, Andreas A1 - Laschewsky, A. T1 - Characterization of new amphiphilic block copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and vinyl acetate, 2 - chromatographic separation and analysis by MALDI-TOF and FT-IR coupling N2 - PVP-block-PVAc block copolymers were synthesized by controlled radical polymerization applying a RAFT/MADIX system and were investigated by HPLC and by coupling of chromatography to FT-IR spectroscopy and MALDI-TOF MS. Chromatographic methods (LACCC and gradient techniques) were developed that allowed a separation of block copolymers according to their repeating units. The results of the spectroscopic and spectrometric analysis clearly showed transfer between radicals and process solvent. With the use of hyphenated techniques differences between main and side products were detected. In agreement with previously published results, obtained by NMR, SEC, static light scattering and MALDI-TOF MS, our data proved a non-ideal RAFT polymerization. KW - Amphiphiles KW - Block copolymers KW - Liquid chromatography KW - MALDI KW - Reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) KW - Liquid adsorption chromatography at critical conditions KW - Gradient chromatography KW - MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry KW - Hyphenated techniques KW - Mechanism of polymerization PY - 2010 DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/macp.201000044 SN - 1022-1352 SN - 1521-3935 VL - 211 IS - 15 SP - 1678 EP - 1688 PB - Wiley-VCH Verl. CY - Weinheim AN - OPUS4-22012 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Böhmert, L. A1 - Girod, Matthias A1 - Hansen, Ulf A1 - Maul, Ronald A1 - Knappe, Patrick A1 - Niemann, B. A1 - Weidner, Steffen A1 - Thünemann, Andreas A1 - Lampen, A. T1 - Analytically monitored digestion of silver nanoparticles and their toxicity on human intestinal cells N2 - Orally ingested nanoparticles may overcome the gastrointestinal barrier, reach the circulatory system, be distributed in the organism and cause adverse health effects. However, ingested nanoparticles have to pass through different physicochemical environments, which may alter their properties before they reach the intestinal cells. In this study, silver nanoparticles are characterised physicochemically during the course of artificial digestion to simulate the biochemical processes occurring during digestion. Their cytotoxicity on intestinal cells was investigated using the Caco-2 cell model. Using field-flow fractionation combined with dynamic light scattering and small-angle X-ray scattering, the authors found that particles only partially aggregate as a result of the digestive process. Cell viabilities were determined by means of CellTiter-Blue® assay, 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole-staining and real-time impedance. These measurements reveal small differences between digested and undigested particles (1–100 µg/ml or 1–69 particles/cell). The findings suggest that silver nanoparticles may indeed overcome the gastrointestinal juices in their particulate form without forming large quantities of aggregates. Consequently, the authors presume that the particles can reach the intestinal epithelial cells after ingestion with only a slight reduction in their cytotoxic potential. The study indicates that it is important to determine the impact of body fluids on the nanoparticles of interest to provide a reliable interpretation of their nano-specific cytotoxicity testing in vivo and in vitro. KW - Silver nanoparticles KW - In vitro digestion KW - Field-flow fractionation KW - Small-angle X-ray scattering KW - Dynamic light scattering KW - Caco-2 cells PY - 2014 DO - https://doi.org/10.3109/17435390.2013.815284 SN - 1743-5390 SN - 1743-5404 VL - 8 IS - 6 SP - 631 EP - 642 PB - Informa Healthcare CY - London AN - OPUS4-29926 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Weidner, Steffen A1 - Falkenhagen, Jana A1 - Knop, K. A1 - Thünemann, Andreas T1 - Structure and end-group analysis of complex hexanediol-neopentylglycol-adipic acid copolyesters by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization collision-induced dissociation tandem mass spectrometry N2 - Sequences and end groups of complex copolyesters were determined by fragmentation analysis by means of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization collision-induced dissociation tandem mass spectrometry (MALDI CID MS/MS). The complexity of the crude copolyester mixture was reduced by a chromatographic separation followed by a MALDI time-of-flight (TOF) investigation of fractions. Due to overlapping compositional and end-group information a clear assignment of end groups was very difficult. However, the fragmentation of suitable precursor ions resulted in typical fragment ion patterns and, therefore, enabled a fast and unambiguous determination of the end groups and composition of this important class of polymers. KW - Fragmentierung KW - MALDI Massenspektrometrie KW - Polymere KW - MS/MS PY - 2009 DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/rcm.4191 SN - 0951-4198 SN - 1097-0231 VL - 23 IS - 17 SP - 2768 EP - 2774 PB - Wiley CY - Chichester AN - OPUS4-20929 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Thünemann, Andreas T1 - In Situ Characterization of Superparamagnetic Nanoparticles: Online Coupling of FFF and SAXS using Synchrotron Radiation T2 - Workshop on structural aspects of biocompatible ferrofluids: stabilization, properties control and application CY - Geesthacht, Germany DA - 2010-01-28 PY - 2010 AN - OPUS4-20100 LA - deu AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Fandrich, Nick A1 - Falkenhagen, Jana A1 - Weidner, Steffen A1 - Pfeifer, Dietmar A1 - Staal, B. A1 - Thünemann, Andreas A1 - Laschewsky, A. T1 - Characterization of new amphiphilic block copolymers of N-vinyl pyrrolidone and vinyl acetate, 1 - analysis of copolymer composition, end groups, molar masses and molar mass distributions N2 - New amphiphilic block copolymers consisting of N-vinyl pyrrolidone and vinyl acetate were synthesized via controlled radical polymerization using a reversible addition/fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT)/macromolecular design via the interchange of xanthates (MADIX) system. The synthesis was carried out in 1,4-dioxane as process solvent. In order to get conclusions on the mechanism of the polymerization the molecular structure of formed copolymers was analysed by means of different analytical techniques. 13C NMR spectroscopy was used for the determination of the monomer ratios. End groups were analysed by means of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. This technique was also used to determine possible fragmentations of the RAFT end groups. By means of a combination of size exclusion chromatography, 13C NMR and static light scattering molar mass distributions and absolute molar masses could be analysed. The results clearly show a non-ideal RAFT mechanism. KW - Amphiphiles KW - Block copolymers KW - Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) KW - N-vinyl pyrrolidone KW - Reversible addition/fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) PY - 2010 DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/macp.200900466 SN - 1022-1352 SN - 1521-3935 VL - 211 IS - 8 SP - 869 EP - 878 PB - Wiley-VCH Verl. CY - Weinheim AN - OPUS4-21905 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Knappe, Patrick A1 - Bienert, Ralf A1 - Weidner, Steffen A1 - Thünemann, Andreas T1 - Characterization of poly/N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone)s with broad size distributions N2 - We report on the characterization of the solution structure of poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone)s (PVP) by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and by online coupling of asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation (A4F), SAXS and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The commercial products PVP K30 and PVP K90 with nominal molar masses of 40 × 103 and 360 × 103 g mol-1, respectively, were investigated separately and as binary mixture. Detailed information for all polymer fractions is available on the polymer contour lengths and the diffusion coefficients. Key areas of applications for the A4F-SAXS-DLS coupling are seen in comparison to static light scattering for polymers with radii of gyration smaller than 10 nm, for which only SAXS produces precise analytical results on the size of the polymers in solution. KW - Small-angle X-ray scattering KW - SAXS KW - Field-flow fractionation PY - 2010 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2010.02.039 SN - 0032-3861 SN - 1873-2291 VL - 51 IS - 8 SP - 1723 EP - 1727 PB - Springer CY - Berlin AN - OPUS4-21222 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Thünemann, Andreas T1 - An X-ray view into the nano-world T2 - Workshop "Trends in Colloid and Interface Science TICI" CY - Potsdam, Germany DA - 2011-06-22 PY - 2011 AN - OPUS4-23978 LA - deu AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -