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Nanoparticles (NPs) are tiny – around 1 to 100 billionths of a meter – and can have different chemistries and behaviours than the same material of larger size. This property has led to advances in a wide range of industries, but it can also confer toxicity. Size measurements are the main way NPs are identified but a lack of standardised methods for identifying ones with complex shapes has hindered evaluation of their potential harm.
The main objective was to assess homogeneity of two bimodal gold materials, namely nPsize1 and nPSize2, containing approximately 1:1 and 10:1 particle number-based ratio of ~30nm and ~60nm particles. Particle number-based concentration within the two size fractions was determined with spICP-MS using the particle frequency method of calibration.
Luminescence lifetimes are an attractive analytical method for detection due to its high sensitivity and stability. Iridium probes exhibit luminescence with long excited-state lifetimes, which are sensitive to the local environment. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is listed as a chemical of high concern regarding its toxicity and is classified as a “forever chemical”. In addition to strict limits on the presence of PFOA in drinking water, environmental contamination from industrial effluent or chemical spills requires rapid, simple, accurate, and cost-effective analysis in order to aid containment. Herein, we report the fabrication and function of a novel and facile luminescence sensor for PFOA based on iridium modified on gold surfaces. These surfaces were modified with lipophilic iridium complexes bearing alkyl chains, namely, IrC6 and IrC12, and Zonyl-FSA surfactant. Upon addition of PFOA, the modified surfaces IrC6-FSA@Au and IrC12-FSA @Au show the largest change in the red luminescence signal with changes in the luminescence lifetime that allow monitoring of PFOA concentrations in aqueous solutions. The platform was tested for the measurement of PFOA in aqueous samples spiked with known concentrations of PFOA and demonstrated the capacity to determine PFOA at concentrations >100 μg/L (240 nM).
Reliable measurement of the size of polydisperse, complex-shaped commercial nanopowders is a difficult but necessary task, e.g., for regulatory requirements and toxicity risk assessment. Suitable methods exist for the accurate characterization of the size of non-aggregated, stabilized, spherical and monodisperse nanoparticles. In contrast, industrial nanoscale powders usually require dedicated sample preparation procedures developed for the analysis method of choice. These nano-powders tend to agglomerate and/or aggregate, a behavior which in combination with an innate broad particle size distribution and irregular shape often significantly alters the achievable accuracy of the measured size parameters. The present study systematically tests two commercially available nanoscale powders using different sample preparation methods for correlative analysis by scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, Brunauer–Emmet–Teller method and differential mobility analysis. One focus was set on the sample preparation by embedding nanoparticles in carbon-based hot-mounting resin. Literature on this topic is scarce and the accuracy of the data extracted from cross sections of these particles is unclearly stated. In this paper systematic simulations on the deviation of the size parameters of well-defined series of nanoparticles with different shapes from the nominal value were carried out and the contributing factors are discussed.
Here, we elucidate nonclassical multistep crystallization pathways of transition metal phosphates from aqueous solutions. We followed precipitation processes of M-struvites, NH4MPO4·6H2O, and M-phosphate octahydrates, M3(PO4)2·8H2O, where M = Ni, Co, or NixCo1–x, by using in situ scattering and spectroscopy-based techniques, supported by elemental mass spectrometry analyses and advanced electron microscopy. Ni and Co phosphates crystallize via intermediate colloidal amorphous nanophases, which change their complex structures while agglomerating, condensing, and densifying throughout the extended reaction times. We reconstructed the three-dimensional morphology of these precursors by employing cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET). We found that the complex interplay between metastable amorphous colloids and protocrystalline units determines the reaction pathways. Ultimately, the same crystalline structure, such as struvite, is formed. However, the multistep process stages vary in complexity and can last from a few minutes to several hours depending on the selected transition metal(s), their concentration, and the Ni/Co ratio.
Liaison of ISO/TC 202 Microbeam Analysis with VAMAS/TWA 37 Quantitative Microstructural Analysis
(2023)
The progress in activities on Microbeam Analysis under VAMAS/TWA 37 is reviewed. Particularly the liaison with the new projects within the ISO technical committee TC 202 is presented and discussed with respect to the identification and launching corresponding VAMAS projects. The ongoing project "FIB sample processing for TEM" is presented in detail.
Titanium and its alloys are known to allow the straightforward laser-based manufacturing of ordered surface nanostructures, so-called high spatial frequency laser-induced periodic surface structures (HSFL). These structures exhibit sub-100 nm spatial periods – far below the optical diffraction limit. The resulting surface functionalities are usually enabled by both, topographic and chemical alterations of the nanostructured surfaces. For exploring these effects, multi-method characterizations were performed here for HSFL processed on Ti–6Al–4V alloy upon irradiation with near-infrared ps-laser pulses (1030 nm, ≈1 ps pulse duration, 1–400 kHz) under different laser scan processing conditions, i.e., by systematically varying the pulse repetition frequency and the number of laser irradiation passes. The sample characterization involved morphological and topographical investigations by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), tactile stylus profilometry, as well as near-surface chemical analyses hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES) and depth-profiling time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). This provides a quantification of the laser ablation depth, the geometrical HSFL characteristics and enables new insights into the depth extent and the nature of the non-ablative laser-induced near-surface oxidation accompanying these nanostructures. This allows to answer the questions how the processing of HSFL can be industrially scaled up, and whether the latter is limited by heat-accumulation effects.
Although the use of noble metal catalysts can increase the efficiency of hydrogen evolution reaction, the process is still limited by the characteristics of the metal-hydrogen (M−H) bond, which can be too strong or too weak, depending on the metal employed. Studies revealed that the hydrogen affinity for the metal surface (i.e. H absorption/desorption) is regulated also by the potential at the metal nanoparticles. Through controlled periodic illumination (CPI) of a series of metal/TiO2 suspensions, here we demonstrated that an increase of the HER efficiency is possible for those photodeposited metals which have a Tafel slope below 125 mV. Two possible explanations are here reported, in both of them the M−H interaction and the metal covering level play a prominent role, which also depend on the prevailing HER mechanism (Volmer-Heyrovsky or Volmer-Tafel).
Liaison activities within ISO/TC 202 'Microbeam Analysis' which are relevant to ISO/TC 229 'Nanotechnologies' are reported acoording to the structure defined by ISO/TC229 Nanotechnologies Liaisons Coordination Group (NLCG): new standards/documents, coordination issues, and further detailed specific information, e.g. publications, events, comments.
The progress of the VAMAS interlaboratory comparison Project P13 "Lateral size of graphene oxide flakes by SEM" within the Technical Working Area 41 "Graphene and Related 2D Materials" is presented. The challenges at sample preparation on substrates for accurate measurement and image analysis as well as two different analysis approaches, containing exact guidance how to measure the main descriptors for the lateral size measurement of the imaged graphene oxide flakes with Scanning Electron Microscopy are highlighted. The implementation of the results into the corresponding ISO technical specification AWI/TS 23879 is also discussed and planned, in relation with the AFM part.
Regional standardisation activities and how VAMAS can help in any way to promote activities are reported.
Activities related to organisational updates, government initiatives/priorities (especially related to Materials), details of any strategy documents publicly available, networks within Germany and how we engage are presented.
The VAMAS/TWA 45 Project 2 “Development of standardized methodologies for characterisation of microplastics with microscopy and spectroscopy methods” involving 85 participants around the world is primarily discussed with respect to the results received and a first data evaluation. Status of the Project "Guidelines for defining reference materials for plastic degradation in marine environment" is reported and two new project proposals are presented: "Development of standardized methodologies for characterisation of nanoplastics (starting soon, BAM as leader?) and "Development of analytical protocols for the identification and quantification of microplastics of fibrous shape (still in negotiation)".
Quantitative Microstructural Analysis - VAMAS TWA 37 & Liaison with ISO/TC 202 Microbeam Analysis
(2023)
The progress in activities on Microbeam Analysis under VAMAS/TWA 37 is reviewed. Particularly the liaison with the new projects within the ISO technical committee TC 202 is presented and discussed with respect to the identification and launching corresponding VAMAS projects. The ongoing project "FIB sample processing for TEM" is presented in detail.
Newly developed methodical approaches with an emphasis on correlative imaging analysis of morphology and chemistry of nanomaterials will be presented. Correlative imaging by high-resolution SEM with STEM-in-SEM as well as with EDS, and further with AFM, or with the new technique TKD (Transmission Kikuchi Diffraction) will be explained on various examples of nanostructures, both as starting materials and as embedded/functionalized nanoparticles in products. The unique analytical benefits of the Auger electron probe as a veritable nano-tool for the local surface chemistry will be highlighted. Examples of hybrid analysis of the bulk of nanomaterials by X-ray Spectroscopy and the highest surface-sensitive methods XPS and ToF-SIMS as advanced surface characterization methods available in the Competence Centre nano@BAM will be showed. Particularly for the spatially resolved analysis of the chemistry of nanostructures, such in-depth and lateral gradients of chemistry within mesoporous thin layers, or the completeness of the shells of core-shell nanoparticles, the latter methods are inherent.
Other dedicated developments like approaches for the quantitative determination of the porosity of thin mesoporous layers by electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) with SEM or the quantitative determination of the roughness of particle surface by high-resolution imaging with electron microscopy will be also presented.
Iron Oxide Nanocubes as a New Certified Reference Material for Nanoparticle Size Measurements
(2023)
The rational design and increasing industrial use of nanomaterials require a reliable characterization of their physicochemical key properties like size, size distribution, shape, and surface chemistry. This calls for nanoscale reference materials (nanoRMs) for the validation and standardization of commonly used characterization methods closely matching real-world nonspherical nano-objects. This encouraged us to develop a nonspherical nanoRM of very small size consisting of 8 nm iron oxide nanocubes (BAM-N012) to complement spherical gold, silica, and polymer nanoRMs. In the following, the development and production of this nanoRM are highlighted including the characterization by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) as complementary methods for size and shape parameters, homogeneity and stability studies, and calculation of a complete uncertainty budget of the size features. The determination of the nanocubes’ edge length by TEM and SAXS allows a method comparison. In addition, SAXS measurements can also provide the mean particle number density and the mass concentration. The certified size parameters, area equivalent circular diameter and square edge length, determined by TEM with a relative expanded uncertainty below 9%, are metrologically traceable to a natural constant for length, the very precisely known (111) lattice spacing of silicon. Cubic BAM-N012 qualifies as a certified nanoRM for estimating the precision and trueness, validation, and quality assurance of particle size and shape measurements with electron microscopy and SAXS as well as other sizing methods suitable for nanomaterials. The production of this new iron oxide nanocube RM presents an important achievement for the nanomaterial community, nanomaterial manufacturers, and regulators.
The basic principles of generation of electrons and X-rays and the operation of SEM/EDS instruments are presented. Examples, recent successes and challenges in the analysis of nano-structures are given. Multi-method analytical approaches with the focus on imaging the nanoscale are highlighted. Details on the sample preparation and persepective on the automated analysis (sample preparation, measurement, data analyis and storage) are given. Metrological aspects, standardisation, and reference materials are also emphasized by examples.
Accurate characterisation of the morphology (size) and chemistry of graphene-related 2D materials (GR2M) is key in understanding their extraordinary functionalities. Hence, not only the tailoring of these functionalities aiming at applications of increased-performance becomes possible, but also the correlation of the physico-chemical properties with the understanding of the potential toxicity eventually enables a safe and sustainable development of the GR2M for new applications. Whilst AFM and Raman Spectroscopy are recommended to measure the thickness of GO flakes, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) is the most suited method to assess their lateral size, which varies between tens of µm down to below 100 nm. In this paper, procedures for the accurate determination of lateral size of graphene oxide (GO) flakes by SEM are presented. The prerequisite for accurate flake size analysis is the proper sample preparation, i.e. deposition of ideally isolated flakes on a substrate, with the flakes being unfolded, non-overlapped, parallel with the substrate, and having a high coverage density. Examples of optimum image caption conditions and image analysis procedures will be presented. The size descriptors and their measurement are described in the context of the corresponding analysis approach: i) length and width of the flakes with a quick and rough, but robust procedure, and ii) exact contouring of the flakes as part of a highly accurate, but more time-consuming measurement approach. The possibility of application of automated image analysis is discussed as the alternative to the manual flakes analysis.
Since its isolation, graphene has received growing attention from academia and industry due to its unique properties. However, the “what is my material” barrier hinders further commercialization. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is considered as a method of choice for the determination of the elemental and chemical composition. In this work the influence of the morphology of graphene particles on the XPS results is studied and investigated as a function of X-ray energy, using conventional XPS with Al K𝜶 radiation and hard X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (HAXPES) using Cr K𝜶 radiation. Thereby, the information depth is varied between 10 and 30 nm. For this purpose, two commercial powders containing graphene nanoplatelets with lateral dimensions of either ≈100 nm or in the micrometer range are compared. These larger ones exist as stack of graphene layers which is inspected with scanning electron microscopy. Both kinds of particles are then functionalized with either oxygen or fluorine. The size of the graphene particles is found to influence the degree of functionalization. Only the combination of XPS and HAXPES allows to detect the functionalization at the outermost surface of the particles or even of the stacks and to provide new insights into the functionalization process.
The datasets from (Hard Energy) X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and Scanning Electron Microsopy are related to the publication
G. Chemello, X. Knigge, D. Ciornii, B.P. Reed, A.J. Pollard, C.A. Clifford, T. Howe, N. Vyas, V.-D. Hodoroaba, J. Radnik
"Influence of the morphology on the functionalization of graphene nanoplatelets analyzed by comparative photoelectron spectroscopy with soft and hard X-rays"
Advanced Materials Interfaces (2023), DOI: 10.1002/admi.202300116.
Elemental composition and thickness determination of thin films by electron probe microanalysis
(2023)
Electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) applies to solid samples of homogenous (bulk) chemical composition and can usually not be applied to structures which are inhomogeneous in the micrometer range such as thin film systems down to a few nm. However, in combination with the established thin film software Stratagem, the thickness as well as the elemental composition of thin films on a substrate can be determined. This has been recently successfully demonstrated for Fe-Ni on Si and Si-Ge on Al2O3 thin film systems. For both systems five samples of different elemental composition and a reference were produced and characterised by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), Rutherford backscattering (RBS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) as reference values. Last year, a new and open-source thin film evaluation programme called BadgerFilm has been released. It can also be used to determine thin film composition and thickness from intensity ratios of the unknown sample and standards (k-ratios). In this contribution, we reevaluated the data acquired for the Fe-Ni and Si-Ge systems using the BadgerFilm software package and compared the obtained elemental compositions and thickness values with the results of the Stratagem software and the reference methods. The conclusion is that the BadgerFilm software shows good agreement with the elemental composition and thickness calculated by Stratagem (mostly <2% for both composition and thickness) and with the reference values for two representative thin film systems (<1%–2% for composition and <10%–20% for thickness).
The obvious benefits derived from the increasing use of engineered nano-, new, and advanced materials and associated products have to be weighed out by a governance process against their possible risks. Differences in risk perception (beliefs about potential harm) among stakeholders, in particular nonscientists, and low transparency of the underlying decision processes can lead to a lack of support and acceptance of nano-, new, and other advanced material enabled products. To integrate scientific outcomes with stakeholders needs, this work develops a new approach comprising a nine-level, stepwise categorization and guidance system entitled “Knowledge, Information, and Data Readiness Levels” (KaRLs), analogous to the NASA Technology Readiness Levels. The KaRL system assesses the type, extent, and usability of the available data, information, and knowledge and integrates the participation of relevant and interested stakeholders in a cocreation/codesign process to improve current risk assessment, communication, and governance. The novelty of the new system is to communicate and share all available and relevant elements on material related risks in a user/stakeholder-friendly, transparent, flexible, and holistic way and so stimulate reflection, awareness, communication, and a deeper understanding that ultimately enables the discursive process that is needed for the sustainable risk governance of new materials.
In the present paper we show an approach of measuring large numbers of nanoparticles in a single scan TKD. TiO2 anatase nanoparticles (NP) of bipyramidal shape were deposited on standard carbon grid used for TEM. The procedure used promoted formation of NP ‘monolayer’ islands with uniform distribution of NPs on the carbon surface which allowed mapping of large number of nanoparticles in the single island.
Collection of whole map covering ~2800 nanoparticles took nearly 20 minutes. Inverse pole figure color coded map indicates that the NPs are either lying on a {101} facet (within 10° range around perfect {101} parallel to the carbon surface orientation) on the carbon film or are lying on a {100} facet (within 10° range around the perfect {100} parallel to the carbon surface orientation). Very unlikely was the NP orientation standing on a {001} face. The NPs size distribution described as equivalent circle diameter (ECD) has been also evaluated and the mean NP ECD was 59 nm with standard deviation of 15 nm, i.e. in good agreement with electron microscopy or AFM results.
This study shows high potential of the technique for crystalline NPs analysis with respect to geometrical orientation of the particles on the substrate. With known orientation, the 3D dimensional characterisation of such non-spherical NPs becomes possible from 2D projection electron micrographs. Moreover, the NP size distribution can be easily extracted. Superior accuracies down to 1-2 nm are achievable. The approach is applicable also on thin lamellae extracted from particulate (or mesoporous) layers.
Following points are presented and discussed: i) nPSize as an EMPIR project on the nanoparticle size and shape distribution of (more) complex particles including sample preparation and machine learning approaches; ii) parallel development of ISO 21363 (PSSD by TEM), ISO 19749 (PSSD by SEM), ISO 22292 (3D TEM), ISO 52408 (NP Prep for AFM and EM), iii) VAMAS and pre-standardisation, TWA 34 „Nanoparticle Populations“ with two nPSize ILC projects P15 & P16 – results to be published and integrated in ISO 21363 (PSSD by TEM); iv) Remaining challenges: platelets, 2D materials (TiO2 and GR2M); v) Reference data sets as part of a complete Characterisation Workflow.
Electron probe microanalysis (EPMA)is a non-destructive technique which assumes a sample of homogenous (bulk) chemical composition and can, therefore, not be used for thin film samples. However, in combination with one of the possible thin film software packages, STRATAGEM, the thickness as well as the composition of such films on a substrate can be determined.
This has been demonstrated for FeNi on Si and SiGe on Al2O3 film systems. For both systems five samples with different elemental composition and a reference were produced and characterised by the Korean research institute KRISS using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), Rutherford backscattering (RBS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
In 2021, a new and open source thin film evaluation programme called BADGERFILM has been released. It can also be used to determine thin film composition and thickness from intensity ratios of the unknown sample and standards (k-ratios).
In this contribution, we re-evaluated the data acquired for the FeNi and SiGe systems using the BADGERFILM software package and compared the resulting composition and thickness with the results of the established STRATAGEM software and other reference methods. With the current evaluation, the BADGERFILM software shows good agreement with the composition and thickness calculated by STRATAGEM and provided by the KRISS.
These results between two well-known layered material systems analysed with available conventional EMPA approaches (STRATAGEM and direct thickness measurement by TEM) and a new one (BADGERFILM) proves that reliable non-destructive thin film analysis is possible. In this way, we validate the performance of the new software, which is not at all self-explanatory for such
complex quantification algorithms lying behind the final quantified results.
(Pre)Standardisation and Metrology in Microbeam Analysis – Ongoing Activities and Opportunities
(2023)
The presentation addresses the current ongoing projects as well as the gaps and opportunities in microbeam analysis within ISO/TC 202 Microbeam Analysis standardisation body and in-liaison Technical Working Areas (TWAs) at the pre-standardization platform of VAMAS (Versailles Project on Advanced Materials and Standards).
An overview on the VAMAS technical working areas (TWA) and projects where Germany is active has been given. The role of VAMAS as an international pre-standardisation platform, including its intense collaboration with international bodies ISO, CEN, OECD and CCQM and national organizations like DIN has been highlighted.
The progress of the VAMAS Project 16 "Measurement of (relative) number concentration of bimodal silica nanoparticles including deposition from liquid suspension" in TWA 34 Nanoparticle Populations is presented. Follwowing points are discusssed:
- Validate the performance of imaging methods to measure the relative number concentration
• electron microscopy (SEM, TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM)
• two modes of bimodal (30 and 60 nm) silica nanoparticles
- Validate the performance of small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) for the traceable measurement of the number concentration of the two modes.
The progress in the VAMAS Project #15" Measurement of particle size and shape distribution of bipyramidal titania including deposition from liquid suspension" within TWA 34 Nanoparticle Populations is presented with highlight of the following points:
- Determine and compare particle size and shape distribution by means of:
• electron microscopy (SEM, TEM, STEM-in-SEM)
• atomic force microscopy (AFM)
• small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS)
- Determine uncertainty induced by deposition protocol from liquid suspension with comparison to known values from a prior ILC with already deposited nanoparticles on TEM grids.
- Provide comparative validation of protocols for the techniques other than TEM.
Die Bestimmung der Nanopartikelgrößen- und -formverteilung nach OECD TG 125 mit der Transmission and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM/TEM) wird punktuell vorgestellt:
- Generelles Messprinzip
- Beispiele
- Korrelative Mikroskopie
- Welchen Durchmesser misst die Methode?
- Welche Partikel kann diese Methode messen?
- Welche Informationen kann diese Methode liefern?
- Wo stößt die Methode an ihre Grenzen?
- Implementierung und Datenauswertung,
- Reporting.
Anschließend wurde eine Q&A-Session für die Imaging-Methoden organisiert.
The study described in this paper was conducted in the framework of the European nPSize project (EMPIR program) with the main objective of proposing new reference certified nanomaterials for the market in order to improve the reliability and traceability of nanoparticle size measurements. For this purpose, bimodal populations as well as complexly shaped nanoparticles (bipyramids, cubes, and rods) were synthesized. An inter-laboratory comparison was organized for comparing the size measurements of the selected nanoparticle samples performed with electron microscopy (TEM, SEM, and TSEM), scanning probe microscopy (AFM), or small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The results demonstrate good consistency of the measured size by the different techniques in cases where special care was taken for sample preparation, instrument calibration, and the clear definition of the measurand. For each characterization method, the calibration process is described and a semi-quantitative table grouping the main error sources is proposed for estimating the uncertainties associated with the measurements. Regarding microscopy-based techniques applied to complexly shaped nanoparticles, data dispersion can be observed when the size measurements are affected by the orientation of the nanoparticles on the substrate. For the most complex materials, hybrid approaches combining several complementary techniques were tested, with the outcome being that the reliability of the size results was improved.
The new recommended definition of a nanomaterial, 2022/C 229/01, adopted by the European Commission in 2022, will have a considerable impact on European Union legislation addressing chemicals, and therefore tools to implement this new definition are urgently needed. The updated NanoDefiner framework and its e-tool implementation presented here are such instruments, which help stakeholders to find out in a straightforward way whether a material is a nanomaterial or not. They are two major outcomes of the NanoDefine project, which is explicitly referred to in the new definition. This work revisits the framework and e-tool, and elaborates necessary adjustments to make these outcomes applicable for the updated recommendation. A broad set of case studies on representative materials confirms the validity of these adjustments. To further foster the sustainability and applicability of the framework and e-tool, measures for the FAIRification of expert knowledge within the e-tool’s knowledge base are elaborated as well. The updated framework and e-tool are now ready to be used in line with the updated recommendation. The presented approach may serve as an example for reviewing existing guidance and tools developed for the previous definition 2011/696/EU, particularly those adopting NanoDefine project outcomes.
We present how mesoporosity can be engineered in transition metal phosphate (TMPs) materials in a template-free manner. The method involves a transformation of a precursor metal phosphate phase, called M-struvite (NH4MPO4·6H2O, M = Mg2+, Ni2+, Co2+, NixCo1-x2+). It relies on the thermal decomposition of crystalline M-struvite precursors to an amorphous and simultaneously mesoporous phase, which forms while degassing of NH3 and H2O. The temporal evolution of mesoporous frameworks and the response of the metal coordination environment were followed with in-situ and ex-situ scattering and diffraction, as well as X -ray spectroscopy. Despite sharing the same precursor struvite structure, different amorphous and mesoporous structures were obtained depending on the involved transition metal. We highlight the systematic differences in absolute surface area, pore shape, pore size, and phase transitions depending on a metal cation present in the analogous M-struvites. The amorphous structures of thermally decomposed Mg-, Ni- and NixCo1-x-struvites exhibit high surface areas and pore volumes (240 m²g-1 and 0.32 cm-3 g-1 for Mg and 90 m²g-1 and 0.13 cm-3 g-1 for Ni). We propose that the low-cost, environmentally friendly M-struvites could be obtained as recycling products from industrial and agricultural wastewaters. These waste products could be then upcycled into mesoporous TMPs through a simple thermal treatment for further applications, for instance, in (electro)catalysis.
Functionalized Ti3C2Tx nanosheets based biosensor for point-of-care detection of SARS-CoV‑2 antigen
(2023)
MXenes are considered a promising class of two-dimensional materials with extraordinary physical and electrochemical properties. Distinguished features like high specific surface area and outstanding electrical conductivity make them suitable for electrochemical biosensing applications. Here, we report the development of a biosensor involving the functionalized MXene−titanium carbide nanosheets (Ti3C2Tx-NS) and monoclonal antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein (anti-SARS-CoV-2 mAb) to design a point-of-care device for detection of the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein (SARS-CoV-2 NP) antigen. Few-layered titanium carbide nanosheets (denoted as FL-Ti3C2Tx-NS) have been synthesized using a single-step etching and delamination method and characterized using optical and electron microscopy techniques revealing the suitability for immunosensing applications. Binding studies revealed the excellent affinity between the biosensor and the SARS-CoV-2 NP. Electrochemical detection of SARS-CoV-2 NP is performed using differential pulse voltammetry and read by a smartphone-based user interface. The proposed FL-Ti3C2Tx-NS based biosensor offers the detection of SARS-CoV-2 NP with a limit of detection of 0.91 nM in a wide detection range in spiked saliva samples. Additionally, there is no cross-reactivity in the presence of potential interferants like SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein and bovine serum albumin. These findings demonstrate the potential of MXenes in developing a rapid and reliable tool for SARS-CoV-2 NP detection. While we report the biosensing of SARS-CoV-2 NP, our system also paves the way for the detection of other SARS-CoV-2 antigens like spike protein or other biomolecules based on antigen−antibody interactions.
The liaison report from the ISO Technical Committee ISO/TC 202 'Microbeam Analysis' for the November 2022 ISO/TC 229 Nanotechnologies Plenary Meeting Nanotechnologies Liaison Coordination Group (NLCG) is provided. Essential Information such as newly published standards and projects in develeopment relevant for ISO/TC 229 resulted from the progress within the last year and additional comments on behalf of ISO/TC 202 are included in the report.
Luminescent semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are frequently used in the life and material sciences as reporter for bioimaging studies and as active components in devices such as displays, light-emitting diodes, solar cells, and sensors. Increasing concerns regarding the use of toxic elements like cadmium and lead, and hazardous organic solvents during QD synthesis have meanwhile triggered the search for heavy-metal free QDs using green chemistry syntheses methods. Interesting candidates are ternary AgInS2 (AIS) QDs that exhibit broad photoluminescence (PL) bands, large effective Stokes shifts, high PL quantum yields (PL QYs), and long PL lifetimes, which are particularly beneficial for applications such as bioimaging, white light-emitting diodes, and solar concentrators. In addition, these nanomaterials can be prepared in high quality with a microwave-assisted (MW) synthesis in aqueous solution. The homogeneous heat diffusion and instant temperature rise of the MW synthesis enables a better control of QD nucleation and growth and thus increases the batch-to-batch reproducibility. In this study, we systematically explored the MW synthesis of AIS/ZnS QDs by varying parameters such as the order of reagent addition, precursor concentration, and type of stabilizing thiol ligand, and assessed their influence on the optical properties of the resulting AIS/ZnS QDs. Under optimized synthesis conditions, water-soluble AIS/ZnS QDs with a PL QY of 65% and excellent colloidal and long-term stability could be reproducible prepared.
Binary photoluminescent semiconductor nanocrystals (quantum dots, QDs) are one of the best studied fluorescent nanomaterials, and their unique optoelectronic properties paved the road to many applications in (bio)nanophotonics, optoelectronics, and photovoltaics. However, concerns related to their toxic constituents like cadmium or lead and the emerging interest in greener chemistry synthesis approaches hamper their future applicability. Interesting alternatives for some applications like biosensing or bioimaging are heavy-metal-free ternary QDs like AgInS2 (AIS), CuInS2 (CIS), and quaternary QDs such as AIS-ZnS (ZAIS). In this context, we explored the effect of ligand denticity on the organic-to-aqueous phase transfer of oleylamine-stabilized ZAIS QDs with the hydrophilic ligands mercaptopropionic acid (MPA), dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA), and 3-mercapto-2,2-bis(mercaptomethyl)propanoic acid (3MPA), bearing mono-, bi-, and trialkyl thiol groups. Spectroscopic studies of the resulting water-dispersible ZAIS QDs revealed a considerable influence of ligand denticity and ligand-to-QD ratio on the spectral position and width (FWHM; full width at half-maximum) of the photoluminescence (PL) bands, the PL quantum yields (PL QY), and the PL decay kinetics. Thiol capping and phase transfer resulted in a loss in PL by at least a factor of 2. The ligand-induced PL quenching observed particularly for ligands bearing two or three thiol groups was attributed to the facilitated formation of surface-bound disulfides. The best colloidal stability under high dilution conditions was observed for 3MPA.
The progress in the activities on Microbeam Analysis under VAMAS/TWA 37 is reviewed. Particularly the liaison with the new projects within the ISO technical committee TC 202 is presented and discussed with respect to the possibility of identifying and launching related VAMAS projects/inter-laboratory comparisons. The recently started project FIB sample processing for TEM is presented. Next projects in the pipeline involving EBSD and TKD are shortly announced. The need of more promotion for the engagement of more experts from industry and academia at national, European and international level is highlighted. Also, the competition with the other technical working areas (on 'nano' or materials-related) is critically discussed.
Experience gained at BAM within the European project ISGScope on the accurate measureemnt of graphene oxide flakes by electron microscopy is presented. Particularly, factors such as the type of solvent, substrate temperature, but also proper, gentle measurement parameters and image analysis conditions towards automation are highlighted. The measurement procedures in develeopment are being prepared to launch an inter-laboratory comparison under VAMAS (TWA41) as preparatory guidance for future standardisation at ISO.
Nanoparticle Populations
(2022)
Two new projects P15 Measurement of particle size and shape distribution of bipyramidal titania including deposition from liquid suspension and P16 Measurement of (relative) number concentration of bimodal silica nanoparticles including deposition from liquid suspension have been started at VAMAS/TWA 34 under the lead of BAM. First results are presented and discussed.
Quantitative Microstructural Analysis - VAMAS TWA 37 & Liaison with ISO/TC 202 Microbeam Analysis
(2022)
The progress in activities on Microbeam Analysis under VAMAS/TWA 37 is reviewed. Particularly the liaison with the new projects within the ISO technical committee TC 202 is presented and discussed with respect to the possibility of identifying and launching related VAMAS projects. The recently started project FIB sample processing for TEM is highlighted. Need of more promotion for the engagement of more participants from industry and academia at national, European and international level is highlighted. Also, the competition with the other technical working areas (on 'nano' or materials-related) is critically discussed. Further, a short overview of the VAMAS areas of activities is given where Germany is involved. Planed regional VAMAS Workshops in Germany in 2023 are announced.
In the present talk the basics of the Raman spectroscopy and particularly of Raman microscopy are explained. Advantages and disadvantages of the method are highlighted through selected case studies. In the second part of the lecture examples of correlative imaging with electron, X-ray, ion and optical microscopies from micro- to the nanoscale are highlighted.
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.
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.
Water splitting using semiconductor photo-catalysts is considered a sustainable method to produce clean hydrogen fuel. Nevertheless, H2 photo-production efficiency remains still low, although extensive research works to understand better the mechanisms of the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER) and the Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) are being carried out. In this respect, TiO2 is a key photoactive material, usually employed with a co-catalyst deposited onto the surface to enhance charge carriers’ separation and catalyze surface charge transfer reactions. The deposition of a co-catalyst on the TiO2 nanoparticle surface represents one successful way to enhance the activity of the photocatalyst through a modification of its surface and redox properties. In this context, high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with elemental analysis by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) is fundamental for studying and understanding the effect of the nanoparticle morphology on the functional properties of shape-controlled TiO2 crystals (bipyramides, platelets, and elongated particles). Different types of metal-semiconductor combinations, TiO2 shapes and dopant metals (Ag, Pt, Au, Rh, Pd) and metal concentrations are discussed.
Electron Probe Microanalysis (EPMA) provides a non-destructive approach in the dedicated thin film analysis mode with the commercial StrataGem software. Recently, the open-source programme BadgerFilm by Moy and Fournelle became available. Similarly to StrataGem, it is based on the algorithm of Pouchou and Pichoir and needs intensity ratios of the unknown sample and standards (k-values). We have evaluated the k-values measured for the FeNi and SiGe film systems using the BadgerFilm software package and compared the thickness and composition with the results obtained with the established StrataGem software and other reference methods. The thicknesses of the SiGe films obtained by the BadgerFilm software agree within 20% with the StrataGem and TEM results; the elemental compositions BadgerFilm-StrataGEM agree within 2% with one exception (9%).
In order to bridge the gap between lab-scale and industrial-scale production of graphene it is necessary to develop processes, equipment and measurement procedures to control the material features. One of the crucial reasons of graphene’s limited commercialization is the lack of standard procedures to properly characterize and define the material chemical and structural properties down to the nanometer level. This leads to many issues regarding material synthesis repeatability, inappropriateness choice of measurands and measurement reproducibility which heavily affect the consistency of the material performance.
In our study, a comparative analysis is performed on two different series (G5 and G6) of industrial graphene powders, each series produced with four types of functionalization: raw graphene, oxygen-functionalized, nitrogen-functionalized and fluorine-functionalized. All the 8 sample variants were analyzed from a chemical and morphological point of view in the form of powders prepared as slightly pressed in metallic sample holders.
The results of the comparative chemical analyses XPS and EDS show a good agreement in the concentration values for all the elements present in the samples, despite the different analysis volumes addressed by the two techniques. For this reason, the samples can be considered homogeneous in both lateral and vertical direction.
A clear influence of the morphology on the composition is evident. Therefore, such correlative measurements of morphology and composition are necessary for a comprehensive characterization of industrial graphene flakes.
For test laboratories operating under accreditation schemes like ISO/IEC 17025 (ISO/IEC 17025), as the international reference for testing and calibration laboratories wanting to demonstrate their capacity to deliver reliable results, a periodical control of the critical instrumental parameters of an Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectrometer (EDS) is required.
This periodical check of an EDS is specified with exact procedures and materials in the ISO 15632:2021 ”Microbeam Analysis – Selected instrumental performance parameters for the specification and checking of energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometers for use in electron probe microanalysis” (ISO 15632). The EDS check can be simplified to the acquisition of only one 10 kV spectrum from a dedicated test material, EDS-TM002, which is made available by BAM since 2009 (https://webshop.bam.de/webshop_en/). The optional BAM software “EDX spectrometer check” is destined to automatically evaluate this spectrum and determine the performance of the EDS in terms of energy resolution and calibration, as well as possible alteration of low-energy efficiency due to detector contamination. Nearly 200 laboratories have the EDS-TM and associated software package in use.
Practical examples based on various types of artifacts occurred in the EDS spectra and a long-term (>10 years) meticulous observation of the own spectrometers will be discussed. Different types of EDS spectrometers are considered, e.g. Si(Li) and SDD, of various window types (AP, the recent one Si3N4 or even windowless), and with different front contact layers (Au and Ni) (Hodoroaba and Procop, 2014). Evaluation of other parameters or effects such as the deadtime at different count rates or pileup effects is also explained with examples.
The thickness of thin films can be measured by various methods, e.g., profilometry, ellipsometry, atomic force microscopy (AFM), or X-ray reflectometry. For the additional determination of thin film composition, techniques like X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) or mass spectrometry-based techniques can be used. An alternative non-destructive technique is electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). This method assumes a sample of homogenous (bulk) chemical composition, so that it cannot be usually applied to thin film samples. However, in combination with the thin film software StrataGEM, the thickness as well as the composition of such films on a substrate can be determined.
This has been demonstrated for FeNi on Si and SiGe on Al2O3 film systems. For both systems five samples with different elemental composition and a reference were produced and characterised by Korean research institute KRISS using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), Rutherford backscattering (RBS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). These samples were used for an international round robin test.
In 2021, a new and open-source thin film evaluation programme called BadgerFilm has been released. It can also be used to determine thin film composition and thickness from intensity ratios of the unknown sample and standards (k-ratios).
In this contribution, we re-evaluated the data acquired for the FeNi and SiGe systems using the BadgerFilm software package and compared the resulting composition and thickness with the results of the established StrataGEM software and other reference methods. With the current evaluation, the BadgerFilm software shows good agreement with the composition and thickness calculated by StrataGEM and as the reference values provided by the KRISS.