TY - CONF A1 - Stawski, Tomasz A1 - Van Driessche, A. T1 - Particle-mediated origins of mesocrystalline disorder in calcium sulfate single crystals N2 - Calcium sulfate minerals are abundant in natural and engineered environments and they exist in the form of three hydrates: gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O), bassanite (CaSO4·0.5H2O), and anhydrite (CaSO4). Due to their relevance in natural and industrial processes, the formation pathways of these calcium sulfate phases from aqueous solution have been the subject of intensive research1. The state-of-the-art of the calcium sulfate formation mechanisms builds upon and goes beyond what we have come to appreciate in the astounding intricacy of other mineral formation processes from ions in aqueous solutions. The original, and rather naive, 'textbook' image of these phenomena, stemming from the adaptation of classical nucleation and growth theories, has increased in complexity due to the discovery of a variety of precursor and intermediate species2. These include solute clusters (e.g. prenucleation clusters, PNCs), liquid(-like) phases, as well as amorphous and nanocrystalline solids etc.. In this context, a number of studies have already revealed that nucleation in the CaSO4-H2O system is non-classical, where the formation of the different crystalline phases involves several steps including a common amorphous precursor1, 3, 4. In this contribution we show that the formation of the amorphous phase involves the aggregation of small primary particles into larger disordered aggregates exhibiting a "brick-in-the-wall" structure5, 6. The actual crystallization occurs by the restructuring and coalescence of the particles ("bricks") into a given calcium sulfate phase depending on the physicochemical conditions of the solution. Importantly, the rearrangement process does not continue until a (nearly-)perfect homogeneous single crystal is obtained. Instead it comes to a stop, or at least significantly slows down. Such a process thus yields a final imperfect mesocrystal, composed of smaller domains rather than a continuous crystal structure, within which the domains are separated by an amorphous (i.e. less ordered) calcium sulfate phase. Hence, the non-classical crystallization process of CaSO4 yields a final imperfect mesocrystal with an overall morphology resembling that of a single crystal, yet composed of smaller nano-domains. Importantly, these observations reveal that organic-free calcium sulfate mesocrystals grown by a particle mediated-pathway preserve in the final crystal structure a “memory” or “imprint” of their non-classical nucleation process, something that has been overlooked until now. Furthermore, the nano-scale misalignment of the structural sub-units within these crystals can propagate through the length-scales, and be expressed macroscopically as misaligned zones/domains in large single crystals. Indeed, by considering large anhydrite crystals from the famous Naica Mine (“Cueva de los cristales”) we observed a suite of correlated self-similar void defects spanning multiple length-scales7. These flaws, in the macroscopic crystal, stem from “seeds of imperfection” originating from a particle-mediated nucleation pathway. Hence, building a crystal could be viewed as Nature stacking blocks in a game of Tetris, whilst slowly forgetting the games core concept and failing to fill rows completely. T2 - ECCG: European Conference on Crystal Growth 7 CY - Paris, France DA - 25.07.2022 KW - Anhydrite KW - SAXS KW - Single crystal KW - Mesocrystal PY - 2022 AN - OPUS4-56276 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Hodoroaba, Vasile-Dan T1 - EMPIR nPSize - Improved Traceability Chain of Nanoparticle Size Measurement - What nPSize can offer to ISO/TC 229? N2 - The main outcomes of the EMPIR project nPSize are presented and the suitability of the new capabilities, e.g. reference materials, sample preparation protocols, measurement procedures, and data analysis, to be standardized and implemented in accredited analytical laboratories is discussed. Complementation and/or filling gaps of published and ongoing standardisation projects on size, shape and number concentration measurements under ISO/TC 229/JWG 2 are offered. The two VAMAS inter-laboratory comparisons resulted from the nSPize project and just started under TWA 34 Nanoparticle Populations (Projects #15 and #16) of bipyramidal TiO2 anatase and bimodal SiO2 nanoparticles are presented in detail. T2 - Interim Meeting of ISO/TC 229 Nanotechnologies - Strategy and Metrology Group CY - Online meeting DA - 09.05.2022 KW - Nanoparticles KW - Particle size distribution KW - Inter-laboratory comparison KW - Electron microscopy KW - AFM KW - SAXS KW - ISO/TC229 PY - 2022 AN - OPUS4-54819 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - RPRT A1 - Hodoroaba, Vasile-Dan A1 - Fontanges, R. A1 - Delvallée, A. A1 - Deumer, J. A1 - Salzmann, C. A1 - Crouzier, L. A1 - Gollwitzer, C. A1 - Klein, T. A1 - Koops, R. A1 - Sebaihi, N. A1 - Pauw, Brian Richard A1 - Smales, Glen Jacob A1 - Artous, S. A1 - Taché, O. A1 - Feltin, N. T1 - Report on full algorithm sequences for nanoparticle detection and size measurement as developed on both a physical basis and by machine learning T2 - Community EMPIR Project 17NRM04 nPSize (Improved traceability chain of nanoparticle size measurements) N2 - he main objective of the nPSize project is to improve the measurement capabilities for nanoparticle size based on both measurement methods traceable to SI units and new reference materials. Two basic approaches have been used in order to develop measurement procedures resulting in traceable results of the nanoparticle size distribution: physical modelling for the methods used in the project (TSEM, SEM, AFM and SAXS) and machine learning. Physical modelling: In this part, the physical models associated with different shape measurements for the techniques TSEM, SEM, AFM and SAXS have been collected and further developed with the aim to simulate the resulting signal as measured by the individual methods. Uncertainties and traceability associated with each model were investigated and evaluated. In the following, the progress on these physical models is reported for each individual method. Machine Learning modelling: The aim of this part is to use machine learning to enable automatic measurement of nanoparticle shape from expert a-priori information only. No physical model will be used as a-priori information in this task. The accuracy and traceability of the size results obtained by each technique will be analyzed and compared with the physical modelling. A machine learning database will then be used to create automatic detection algorithms. KW - Nanoparticles KW - Particle size distribution KW - SEM KW - TSEM KW - TEM KW - SAXS KW - AFM PY - 2022 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-546531 DO - https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5807864 SP - 1 EP - 20 PB - Zenodo CY - Geneva AN - OPUS4-54653 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - RPRT A1 - Bartczak, D. A1 - Hodoroaba, Vasile-Dan T1 - Report on the development and validation of the reference material candidates with non-spherical shape, non-monodisperse size distributions and accurate nanoparticle concentrations T2 - Community EMPIR Project 17NRM04 nPSize (Improved traceability chain of nanoparticle size measurements) N2 - One aim of the EMPIR nPSize project 17NRM04 was to develop and validate three classes of candidate reference (test) materials (RTMs), with i) well-defined non-spherical shape, ii) relatively high polydispersity index, and iii) accurate particle concentrations. To fulfil the requirements of the project, 11 different types of materials were prepared. Following the initial assessment of the materials suitability, nPSize5_PT_UNITO, nPSize6_AC_UNITO and nPSize7_GN_CEA materials were found unsuitable for the project, due to various reasons. PT material was deemed unsuitable due to its predominantly agglomerated nature. AC material contained relatively high amount of impurities (other particle forms). GN material was found too heterogeneous in both the length and width for the purpose of the project. The remaining 8 candidate RTMs were assessed for their homogeneity and stability and used for successful delivery of the associated activities within the nPSize project. KW - Nanoparticles KW - Particle size distribution KW - Reference materials KW - Non-spherical shape KW - EMPIR nPSize KW - Electron microscopy KW - AFM KW - SAXS PY - 2022 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-556015 DO - https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7016466 SP - 1 EP - 22 PB - Zenodo CY - Geneva AN - OPUS4-55601 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Pauw, Brian Richard A1 - Smales, Glen Jacob T1 - X-ray scattering for nanostructure quantification, and the quest for the perfect experiment N2 - Measuring an X-ray scattering pattern is relatively easy, but measuring a steady stream of high-quality, useful patterns requires significant effort and good laboratory organization. Such laboratory organization can help address the reproducibility crisis in science, and easily multiply the scientific output of a laboratory, while greatly elevating the quality of the measurements. We have demonstrated this for small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering in the MOUSE project (Methodology Optimization for Ultrafine Structure Exploration). With the MOUSE, we have combined a comprehensive and highly automated laboratory workflow with a heavily modified X-ray scattering instrument. This combination allows us to collect fully traceable scattering data, within a well-documented, FAIR-compliant data flow (akin to what is found at the more automated synchrotron beamlines). With two full-time researchers, our lab collects and interprets thousands of datasets, on hundreds of samples, for dozens of projects per year, supporting many users along the entire process from sample selection and preparation, to the analysis of the resulting data. This talk will briefly introduce the foundations of X-ray scattering, present the MOUSE project, and will highlight the proven utility of the methodology for materials science. Upgrades to the methodology will also be discussed, as well as possible avenues for transferring this holistic methodology to other instruments T2 - SNI 2022 CY - Berlin, Germany DA - 05.09.2022 KW - Methodology KW - X-ray scattering KW - Laboratory management KW - Instrumentation utilization KW - MOUSE KW - SAXS KW - WAXS KW - Automation PY - 2022 AN - OPUS4-55760 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Paul, M. B. A1 - Fahrenson, C. A1 - Givelet, L. A1 - Herrmann, T. A1 - Loescher, K. A1 - Böhmert, L. A1 - Thünemann, Andreas A1 - Braeuning, A. A1 - Sieg, H. T1 - Beyond microplastics ‑ investigation on health impacts of submicron and nanoplastic particles after oral uptake in vitro JF - Microplastics and Nanoplastics N2 - The continuously increasing use of plastics is supposed to result in a rising exposure of MNPs to humans. Available data on human health risks of microplastics after oral uptake increased immensely in the past years and indicates very likely only low risks after oral consumption. Concerning nanoplastics, uptake, transport and potential adverse effects after oral uptake are less well understood. This study aims to investigate differences between microplastic particles and particles in the submicron- and nanoscaled size derived from food-relevant polymers with a particle size range consistent with higher potential for cellular uptake, fate, and effects when applied to human intestinal and liver cells. This work includes the development of cellular and subcellular detection methods for synthetic polymeric particles in the micro- and nanometer-range, using Scanning Electron Microscopy, Small-Angle X-ray and Dynamic Light Scattering methods, Asymmetric Flow Field Flow Fractionation, octanol-water fractionation, fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Polylactic acid (250 nm and 2 μm (polydisperse)), melamine formaldehyde (366 nm) and polymethylmethacrylate (25 nm) were thoroughly characterized. The submicro- and nanoplastic test particles showed an increased uptake and transport quantity through intestinal cells. Both types of particles resulted in observed differences of uptake behavior, most likely influenced by different lipophilicity, which varied between the polymeric test materials. Toxic effects were detected after 24 h only in overload situations for the particles in the submicrometer range. This study provides further evidence for gastrointestinal uptake of submicro- and nanoplastics and points towards differences regarding bioavailability between microplastics and smaller plastic particles that may result following the ingestion of contaminated food and beverages. Furthermore, the results reinforce the importance for studying nanoplastics of different materials of varying size, surface properties, polymer composition and hydrophobicity. KW - Small-angle X-ray scattering KW - SAXS KW - nanoparticle PY - 2022 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-550741 DO - https://doi.org/10.1186/s43591-022-00036-0 VL - 2 SP - 1 EP - 19 PB - Springer Nature AN - OPUS4-55074 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Mrkwitschka, Paul A1 - Abram, Sarah-Luise A1 - Thünemann, Andreas A1 - Rühle, Bastian A1 - Radnik, Jörg A1 - Bresch, Harald A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute A1 - Hodoroaba, Vasile-Dan T1 - The Role of Electron Microscopy in the Development of Monodisperse Cubic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles as Certified Reference Material for Size and Shape JF - Microscopy and Microanalysis N2 - BAM is currently building up a platform of novel nanoRMs relying on iron oxide nanoparticles of different shape, size and surface chemistry. Iron oxide was chosen as a core material because of its relevance to the material and life sciences. As a first candidate of this series, we present cubic iron oxide nanoparticles with a nominal edge length of 8 nm. These particles were synthesized by thermal decomposition of iron oleate in high boiling organic solvents adapting well-known literature procedures. After dilution to a concentration suitable for electron microscopy (TEM and SEM) as well as for small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements, the candidate nanoRM was bottled and assessed for homogeneity and stability by both methods following the guidelines of ISO 17034 and ISO Guide 35. The particle sizes obtained by both STEM-in-SEM and TEM are in excellent agreement with a minimum Feret of 8.3 nm ± 0.7 nm. The aspect ratio (AR) of the iron oxide cubes were extracted from the images as the ratio of minimum Feret to Feret resulting in an AR of 1.18 for TEM to 1.25 for SEM. Alternatively, a rectangular bounding box was fitted originating from the minimum Feret and the longest distance through the particle in perpendicular direction. This led to AR values of 1.05 for TEM and 1.12 for SEM, respectively. The results confirm the almost ideal cubic shape. KW - Reference nanoparticles KW - Iron oxide KW - Cubical shape KW - Electron microscopy KW - SAXS KW - Nano CRM KW - Size PY - 2022 DO - https://doi.org/10.1017/S1431927622003610 SN - 1435-8115 VL - 28 IS - Suppl. 1 SP - 802 EP - 805 PB - Cambridge University Press AN - OPUS4-55599 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -