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Two methods were employed to prepare hyperbranched polyamine ester (HPAE)/kaolinite (Ka) nanocomposites resulting in different morphologies. In the case of the in situ polymerization, diethanolamine is inserted as monomer between the Ka layers and polymerized with methyl acrylate to prepare HPAE/Ka–DEA nanocomposites. For the ex situ method, Ka is modified with dodecylamine and solution-blended with HPAE. The former method leads to an intercalated morphology where the latter approach results in an exfoliated structure, as proofed by SAXS and TEM. A complementary combination of methods like differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), broadband dielectric relaxation (BDS), and specific heat spectroscopy (SHS) was used to investigate both kinds of nanocomposites in detail. Above Tg, the dielectric spectra are dominated by the conductivity contribution while the segmental dynamics is retrieved by SHS. A comparison of the temperature dependencies reveals a decoupling of segmental dynamics and conductivity, which becomes weaker with decreasing fragility.
Nanocomposites based on poly(ʟ-lactide) (PLA) and organically modified MgAl Layered Double Hydroxides (MgAl-LDH) were prepared by melt blending and investigated by a combination of Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Small- and Wide-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS, WAXS), and dielectric spectroscopy (BDS). Scanning microfocus SAXS investigations show that the MgAl-LDH is homogeneously distributed in the matrix as stacks of 6 layers and/or partly exfoliated layers. DSC and WAXS show that the degree of crystallinity decreases linearly with the content of LDH. The extrapolation of the dependencies (DSC and WAXS) to zero estimates a limiting concentration of LDH CCri of ca. 21 wt% where the crystallization of PLA is completely suppressed by the nanofiller. The dielectric behavior of neat PLA show two relaxation regions, a β-relaxation at low temperatures related to localized fluctuations and the α-relaxation at higher temperatures due to the dynamic glass transition. The dielectric spectra of the nanocomposites show several additional relaxation processes compared to neat PLA which are discussed in detail. For the nanocomposites around 260 K (ƒ = 1 kHz) an additional process is observed which intensity increases with increasing concentration of LDH. This process is mainly attributed to the exchanged dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS) molecules which are adsorbed at the LDH layers and form a mixed phase with the polymer close to the layers and stacks. An analysis of this process provides information about the molecular dynamics in the interfacial region between the LDH layers and the PLA matrix which reveal glassy dynamics in this region. In the temperature range around 310 K (ƒ = 1 kHz) a further process is observed. Its relaxation rate has an unusual saddle-like temperature dependence. It was assigned to rotational fluctuations of water molecules in a nanoporous environment provided by the LDH filler. Above the glass transition temperature a further process is observed at temperatures above. It is related to Maxwell/Wagner/Sillars polarization due to the blocking of charges at the nanofiller.
Particle size modality in bi-modal iron oxide suspensions was resolved by exploiting complex ac-susceptibility (ACS), small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and photon cross-correlation spectroscopy. To explain dynamic magnetic response of bi-modal suspensions, the Debye model was expanded to a linear superposition form allowing for the contribution of both particle fractions. This modified and adopted model is able to resolve the bi-modal particle size distributions. The SAXS curves of mono- and bi-modal suspensions were fitted well using a Monte Carlo simulation scheme, allowing the detection of bi-modal particle size distributions with high precision.
Because of the rising application of nanoparticles in food and food-related products, we investigated the influence of the digestion process on the toxicity and cellular uptake of silver nanoparticles for intestinal cells. The main food components – carbohydrates, proteins and fatty acids – were implemented in an in vitro digestion process to simulate realistic conditions. Digested and undigested silver nanoparticle suspensions were used for uptake studies in the well-established Caco-2 model. Small-angle X-ray scattering was used to estimate particle core size, size distribution and stability in cell culture medium. Particles proved to be stable and showed radii from 3.6 to 16.0 nm. Undigested particles and particles digested in the presence of food components were comparably taken up by Caco-2 cells, whereas the uptake of particles digested without food components was decreased by 60%. Overall, these findings suggest that in vivo ingested poly (acrylic acid)-coated silver nanoparticles may reach the intestine in a nanoscaled form even if enclosed in a food matrix. While appropriate for studies on the uptake into intestinal cells, the Caco-2 model might be less suited for translocation studies. Moreover, we show that nanoparticle digestion protocols lacking food components may lead to misinterpretation of uptake studies and inconclusive results.
Resovist® originally developed as a clinical liver contrast agent for Magnetic Resonance Imaging exhibits also an outstanding performance as a tracer in Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI). In order to study the physical mechanism of the high MPI performance of Resovist®, we applied asymmetric flow fieldflow fractionation (A4F) and static magnetic fractionation (SMF) to separate Resovist® into a set of fractions with defined size classes. As A4F based on an elution method separates MNP according to their hydrodynamic size, SMF fractionates a particle distribution by its magnetic moment. The obtained fractions of both separation techniques were then magnetically characterized by magnetorelaxometry measurements to extract the corresponding effective magnetic anisotropy and hydrodynamic size distribution parameters. Additionally, the MPI performance of each fraction was assessed using magnetic particle spectroscopy. With both separation techniques fractions (normalized to their iron amount) an MPI signal gain of a factor of two could be obtained, even though the distribution of effective anisotropy and hydrodynamic size were significantly different. Relating these findings to the results from magnetic characterization allows for a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of MPI performance of Resovist®. This knowledge may help to improve the design of novel MPI tracers and development of separation methods.
We report on the formation of polymer-stabilized superparamagnetic single-core and multi-core maghemite nanoparticles. The particle formation was carried out by coprecipitation of Fe(II) and Fe(III) sulfate in a continuous aqueous process using a micromixer system. Aggregates containing 50 primary particles with sizes of 2 nm were formed at a reaction temperature of 30 °C. These particles aggregated further with time and were not stable. In contrast, stable single-core particles with a diameter of 7 nm were formed at 80 °C as revealed by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) coupled in-line with the micromixer for particle characterization. X-ray diffraction and TEM confirmed the SAXS results. X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy (XANES) identified the iron oxide phase as maghemite.
The development of novel dendrimers containing oligospiroketal (OSK) rods as building blocks is described. The linkage between the core unit (CU), branching units (BU), and OSK rods relies on the CuAAC reaction between terminal alkynes and azides. Two different strategies of dendrimer synthesis were investigated and it was found that the convergent approach is clearly superior to the divergent one. SAXS measurements and MD simulations indicate that the obtained dendrimer features a globular structure with very low density. Obviously, the OSK rods stabilize a rather loose mass-fractal structure.
We studied the magnetic resonance imaging liver contrast agent Resovist by a variety of magnetic measurement techniques, in order to understand the physical mechanism of their high magnetic particle imaging (MPI) performance, wirh a focus on the size-dependent contributions of the MPI signal. To this end, we used asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation to separate Resovist into a set of fractions with defined hydrodynamic diameters. The individual fractions were magnetically characterized by static magnetization and magnetorelaxometry measurements to obtain the corresponding effective magnetic anisotropy and effective size distribution parameters. In addition, the MPI performance of each fraction was assessed by magnetic particle spectroscopy. We observed an MPI signal gain of about 100% with respect to their iron amount for the best fraction. Relating these finding to the results from magnetic characterization provides more insight into mechanisms of MPI performance of Resovist. This knowledge may help to improve the design of novel MPI tracers.
The NanoMag project brings together various leading experts in magnetic nanoparticle synthesis as well as nanoparticle analysis and characterization from research institutes, companies, universities and metrology institutes that will perform cutting-edge research and develop applications in the field of magnetic particles. This work is supported by the European Commission Framework Programme7 under the NanoMag project [grant agreement no 604448].
Characterization of silver nanoparticles in cell culture medium containing fetal bovine serum
(2015)
Nanoparticles are being increasingly used in consumer products worldwide, and their toxicological effects are currently being intensely debated. In vitro tests play a significant role in nanoparticle risk assessment, but reliable particle characterization in the cell culture medium with added fetal bovine serum (CCM) used in these tests is not available. As a step toward filling this gap, we report on silver ion release by silver nanoparticles and on changes in the particle radii and in their protein corona when incubated in CCM. Particles of a certified reference material, p1, and particles of a commercial silver nanoparticle material, p2, were investigated. The colloidal stability of p1 is provided by the surfactants polyethylene glycol-25 glyceryl trioleate and polyethylene glycol-20 sorbitan monolaurate, whereas p2 is stabilized by polyvinylpyrrolidone. Dialyses of p1 and p2 reveal that their silver ion release rates in CCM are much larger than in water. Particle characterization was performed with asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation, small-angle X-ray scattering, dynamic light scattering, and electron microscopy. p1 and p2 have similar hydrodynamic radii of 15 and 16 nm, respectively. The silver core radii are 9.2 and 10.2 nm. Gel electrophoresis and subsequent peptide identification reveal that albumin is the main corona component of p1 and p2 after incubation in CCM that consists of Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium with 10% fetal bovine serum added.
SASfit: a tool for small-angle scattering data analysis using a library of analytical expressions
(2015)
SASfit is one of the mature programs for small-angle scattering data analysis and has been available for many years. This article describes the basic data processing and analysis workflow along with recent developments in the SASfit program package (version 0.94.6). They include (i) advanced algorithms for reduction of oversampled data sets, (ii) improved confidence assessment in the optimized model parameters and (iii) a flexible plug-in system for custom user-provided models. A scattering function of a mass fractal model of branched polymers in solution is provided as an example for implementing a plug-in. The new SASfit release is available for major platforms such as Windows, Linux and MacOS. To facilitate usage, it includes comprehensive indexed documentation as well as a web-based wiki for peer collaboration and online videos demonstrating basic usage. The use of SASfit is illustrated by interpretation of the small-angle X-ray scattering curves of monomodal gold nanoparticles (NIST reference material 8011) and bimodal silica nanoparticles (EU reference material ERM-FD-102).
A user-friendly open-source Monte Carlo regression package (McSAS) is presented, which structures the analysis of small-angle scattering (SAS) using uncorrelated shape-similar particles (or scattering contributions). The underdetermined problem is solvable, provided that sufficient external information is available. Based on this, the user picks a scatterer contribution model (or 'shape') from a comprehensive library and defines variation intervals of its model parameters. A multitude of scattering contribution models are included, including prolate and oblate nanoparticles, core-shell objects, several polymer models, and a model for densely packed spheres. Most importantly, the form-free Monte Carlo nature of McSAS means it is not necessary to provide further restrictions on the mathematical form of the parameter distribution; without prior knowledge, McSAS is able to extract complex multimodal or odd-shaped parameter distributions from SAS data. When provided with data on an absolute scale with reasonable uncertainty estimates, the software outputs model parameter distributions in absolute volume fraction, and provides the modes of the distribution (e.g. mean, variance etc.). In addition to facilitating the evaluation of (series of) SAS curves, McSAS also helps in assessing the significance of the results through the addition of uncertainty estimates to the result. The McSAS software can be integrated as part of an automated reduction and analysis procedure in laboratory instruments or at synchrotron beamlines.