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Potential candidates of reference nano-materials are manufactured and systematically characterized in particular with respect to their morphology (shape, size and size distribution) in the frame of the running large European project NanoValid. By exploiting the transmission operation mode in a SEM, known as T-SEM, it is demonstrated by means of three representative examples of nanoparticles how a quick morphological inspection up to a complete, metrological characterization is feasible.
The need for a better understanding of nanoparticleprotein interactions and the mechanisms governing the resulting colloidal stability has been emphasised in recent years. In the present contribution, the short and long term colloidal stability of silica nanoparticles (SNPs) and silica–poly(ethylene glycol) nanohybrids (Sil–PEG) have been scrutinised in a protein model system. Well-defined silica nanoparticles are rapidly covered by bovine serum albumin (BSA) and form small clusters after 20 min while large agglomerates are detected after 10 h depending on both particle size and nanoparticle–protein ratio. Oppositely, Sil–PEG hybrids present suppressive protein adsorption and enhanced short and long term colloidal stability in protein solution. No critical agglomeration was found for either system in the absence of protein, proving that instability found for SNPs must arise as a consequence of protein adsorption and not to high ionic environment. Analysis of the small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) structure factor indicates a short-range attractive potential between particles in the silica-BSA system, which is in good agreement with a protein bridging agglomeration mechanism. The results presented here point out the importance of the nanoparticle surface properties on the ability to adsorb proteins and how the induced or depressed adsorption may potentially drive the resulting colloidal stability.
A femto-second pulsed laser ablation in liquid (PLAL) procedure for the generation of titanium oxide nanoparticles (NP) is reported with the purpose of understanding morphology and structure of the newly generated NPs. Ablation duration was varied for optimization of NP generation processes between 10 and 90 min. Surface morphology of NPs as well as their size and shape (distribution) were analysed by various complementary electron microscopy techniques, i.e. SEM, TSEM and TEM. The crystalline structure of titanium oxide particles was investigated by XRD(two instruments operated in different geometries) and HR-TEM. Concentration of generated titanium oxide NPs in liquid was analysed by ICP-MS. A mix of crystalline (mainly anatase), partly crystalline and amorphous spherical titanium oxide NPs can be reported having a mean size between 10 and 20 nm, which is rather independent of the laser ablation (LA) duration. A second component consisting of irregularly shaped, but crystalline titanium oxide nanostructures is co-generated in the LA water, with more pronounced occurrence at longer LA times. The provenance of this component is assigned to those spherical particles generated in suspension and passing through the converging laser beam, being hence subject to secondary irradiation effects, e. g. fragmentation.
The characteristics of TiO2 coatings can greatly influence their final performance in large‐scale applications. In the present study, self‐assembly of TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) in multiple layers was selected as a deposition procedure on various substrates. For this, the main prerequisite constitutes the surface modification of both NPs and substrate with, for example, silane coupling agents. A set of functionalized TiO2 NPs has been produced by reaction with either (3‐aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) or (3‐aminopropyl)phosphonic acid (APPA) to functionalize the NP surface with free amino‐groups. Then, the complementary functionalized NP set can be obtained from an aliquot of the first one, through the conversion of free surface amino groups to aldehydes by reaction with glutaraldehyde (GA). Several types of TiO2 NPs differing in size, shape, and specific surface area have been functionalized. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), SEM/ energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS), XPS, Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), and Time‐of‐Flight (ToF)‐SIMS analyses have been carried out to evaluate the degree of functionalization, all the analytical methods employed demonstrating successful functionalization of TiO2 NP surface with APTES or APPA and GA.
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.
A nanoscale boride, α-FeB, with grains of variable size and crystallinity was synthesized by precipitation from solution followed by heat treatment (450 °C, 550 °C, 750 °C, 1050 °C). Analysis of transmission electron micrographs, electron diffraction, and magnetic measurements suggests superparamagnetism at room temperature for the smaller, more disordered particles of FeB, while the larger, more crystalline particles of α-FeB, with a particle size of approximately 20 nm, display open magnetic hysteresis loops and blocking. In contrast to the soft ferromagnetism of bulk β-FeB, which was synthesized by conventional solid state reaction at 1500 °C, the sample of α-FeB annealed at 1050 °C is a harder ferromagnet, possibly due to stacking faults that pin the magnetic domains; these stacking faults are apparent in the high resolution transmission electron micrographs. The changes in magnetic behavior are visible from the varying blocking temperatures (63 K, 94 K, 150 K, and >320 K from the smallest to the largest particles) and correlate with the transformations from amorphous to α-FeB and from α-FeB to β-FeB.
Need for large-area EDS detectors for imaging nanoparticles in a SEM operating in transmission mode
(2014)
The physico-chemical characteristics of TiO2 coatings can greatly influence their final performance. In SETNanoMetro, different deposition procedures are being set for applying films of TiO2 NPs with defined and homogenous thickness on supports of interest for the applications studied in the project. The selected substrates are the following: (i) Silica glasses for photocatalytic measurements, (ii) Ti-alloys for orthopedic and/or dental prostheses, and for cell cultures, and (iii) Conductive glasses (e.g. Fluorine doped Tin Oxide, FTO) for dye-sensitized solar cells. From the different film deposition procedures studied within the project Self-assembly of TiO2 NPs in multiple layers was selected. For this, surface modification of the substrate and of TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) with e.g. silane coupling agents is a prerequisite. First attempts to prepare the self-assembled coating on the functionalized glass substrates seem to indicate that the functionalized NPs adhere to the substrates, even if the final coatings were not homogenous and presented agglomerates. ToF-SIMS results support this outcome.
In order to use the layer-by-layer deposition technique for the formation of TiO2 films by controlled self-assembly of the TiO2 NPs, the proper complementary moieties for the functionalization of the NPs were chosen. A first set of NPs has been produced by reaction with (3-aminopropyl)phosphonic acid (APPA) in order to functionalize the surface with free amino-groups. Then, the complementary NP set can be obtained from an aliquot of the first one, through the conversion of free surface amino-groups to aldehydes by reaction with glutaraldehyde. A proper approach for the functionalization of two types of TiO2, commercial P25 (Evonik) and SETNanoMetro-sample labelled UT001, with APPA was developed. A second set of NPs consisting of three types of TiO2 NPs, P25 and SETNanoMetro NPs (TiO2 NPs with high specific surface area > 150 m2/g and TiO2 NPs with low size < 20 nm) was functionalized with (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTS). As for the previous set of NPs, the complementary NP set was obtained through the conversion of free surface amino-groups to aldehydes by reaction with glutaraldehyde. EDX, AES and ToF-SIMS spectra were collected and analyzed to demonstrate the presence of the surface functionalization of the different types of TiO2 NPs.
The interest in nanoparticles remains at a high level in fundamental research since many years and increasingly, nanoparticles are incorporated into consumer products to enhance their performance. Consequently, the accurate and rapid characterization of nanoparticles is more and more demanded. Electron microscopy (SEM, TSEM and TEM) is one of the few techniques which are able to image individual nanoparticles. It was demonstrated recently that the transmission electron microscopy at a SEM can successfully be applied as a standard method to characterize accurately the size (distribution) and shape of nanoparticles down to less than 10 nm.
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.
The synthesis of TiO2 nanoplatelets with fluorine-containing reactants is carried out using titanium (IV) butoxide as precursor and concentrated HF as shape controller, the final product requires a working up in order to eliminate or at least to reduce the amount of residual fluorides, which is realized here by well-defined thermal treatment of the samples. Bulk and surface sensitive methods namely scanning electron microscopy with energydispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) have been applied to trace the presence of any fluorides in dependence on different information depths and measurement sensitivities of these methods.
Parameters of TiO2 coatings can greatly influence their final performance in largescale applications such as photocatalytic measurements, orthopedic and/or dental prostheses, cell cultures, and dye-sensitized solar cells. From different film deposition procedures, self-assembly of TiO2 NPs in multiple layers was selected for systematic characterization. EDX, AES and ToF-SIMS analysis have been carried out in order to evaluate the functionalization of several types of TiO2 NPs differing in size, shape and surface area.
Hydrothermal synthesis of anatase TiO2 nanosheets with a high fraction of exposed {001} facets and related high photocatalytic activity - as an alternative to bipyramidal anatase TiO2 nanoparticles mainly exposing the {101} facets. The scope of the material preparation work is the thermal reduction of residual fluorides from HF (capping agent) induced during the synthesis of TiO2 nanosheets by calcination at 873K. The analytical task consists of detection and localization of fluorine present at the surface and/or in the bulk of TiO2 nanosheets before and after calcination by SEM/EDX, Auger electron spectroscopy and ToF-SIMS.
Parameters of TiO2 coatings can greatly influence their final performance in largescale applications such as photocatalytic measurements, orthopedic and/or dental prostheses, cell cultures, and dye-sensitized solar cells. From different film deposition procedures, self-assembly of TiO2 NPs in multiple layers was selected for systematic characterization. EDX, AES and ToF-SIMS analysis have been carried out in order to evaluate the functionalization of several types of TiO2 NPs differing in size, shape and surface area.
Control of functionalization of supports for subsequent assembly of titania nanoparticle films
(2018)
For self‐assembling of TiO2 nanoparticles in multiple layers by layer‐by‐layer deposition to be applied to TiO2 thin films with defined and homogeneous thickness for large‐scale applications, the proper functionalization of substrate surface is a prerequisite to guarantee sufficient adhesion.
The substrates selected and tested in the present paper were conductive, fluorine‐doped tin oxide (FTO) glass, nonconductive silica glass, and titanium alloy. The current study focusses on the analytical control of the stepwise functionalization of the substrates with 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane and glutaraldehyde (GA) for both the FTO glass and silica glass and with 3‐aminepropyl phosphonic acid and GA for Ti alloy. The analyses have been conducted by means of surface sensitive methods, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, and time‐of‐flight secondary ions mass spectrometry. Chemical composition of surface of functionalized substrates shows differences in the degree and type of modification in dependence on substrate. It could be demonstrated that the best functionalized substrates were the conductive FTO glasses. The analysis of the functionalized Ti substrates has revealed that the surface coverage with 3‐aminepropyl phosphonic acid and GA molecules is an inhomogeneous one, and further optimization of the two‐step functionalization on the Ti alloy substrate is necessary.
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.
Manufacturing of new perovskite layered solar cells with constant high light conversion Efficiency over time may be hampered by the loss of efficiency caused by structural and/or chemical alterations of the complex layered system. SEM/EDX combined with XPS were chosen as an appropriate methodical approach to characterize perovskite laboratory cells in depth and at surface, before and after light exposure. The layered perovskite system investigated here is based on glass covered with fluorine doped tin oxide, followed by thin films of TiO2, ZrO2, and a thick monolithic carbon. TiO2 film is subdivided into a dense layer covered by porous one constituted of nanoparticles of truncated bipyramidal shape. This layered system serves as the matrix for the perovskite. EDX spectral maps on cross sections of specimen have shown that Pb and I are distributed homogeneously throughout the porous layers C, ZrO2, and TiO2. SEM/EDX data show that 20 weeks of ambient daylight did not change significantly the in‐depth distribution of the elemental composition of Pb and I throughout the entire solar cell system. It was confirmed with EDX that nanoparticles identified in high‐resolution SEM micrographs contain mainly Pb and I, indicating these to be the perovskite crystals. However, a compositional and chemical altering began in the near‐surface region of the outermost ~10 nm after 2 months of illumination which was observed with XPS.
Loss in efficiency of perovskite solar cells may be caused by structural and/or chemical alterations of the complex layered system. SEM/EDX combined with XPS were chosen as appropriate methodical approach to characterise perovskite laboratory cells in depth and complementary on top, before and after light exposure. The layered perovskite system investigated here is based on glass covered with fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO), followed by three porous thin films of TiO2, ZrO2 and a thick monolithic carbon. This layered system serves as the matrix for the perovskite. After infiltration of perovskite solution and annealing, EDX spectral maps on cross-sections of the specimen have been measured. The distribution of relevant elements – Si, Sn, Ti, Zr and C – correlates conclusively with layers visible in the acquired SEM images. Lead and iodine are distributed throughout the porous layers C, ZrO2 and TiO2. By EDX it was found that several weeks of ambient daylight did not change significantly the qualitative elemental composition of lead and iodine throughout the solar cell system. It was confirmed with EDX that nanoparticles identified in high-resolution SEM micrographs contain mainly Pb and I, indicating these to be the perovskite
crystals. However, a time-dependent compositional and chemical altering was observed with XPS for the near-surface region of the outermost ~10 nm after two months of illumination.