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Inorganic and organic functional nanomaterials (NM) of different size, shape, chemical composition, and surface chemistry are relevant for many key technologies of the 21st century. Decisive for most applications of NM are their specific surface properties, which are largely controlled by the chemical nature and number of ligands and functional groups (FG on the NM surface. The surface chemistry can strongly affect the physicochemical properties of NM, their charge, hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity, reactivity, stability, and processability and thereby their impact on the environment and biological species as well as their possible risk for human health. Thus, reliable, validated, and eventually standardized analytical methods for the characterization of NM surface chemistry, i.e., the chemical identification, quantification, and accessibility of FG and surface ligands 1,2] flanked by interlaboratory comparisons, control samples, and reference materials, 2 ,3 are of considerable importance for process and quality control of NM production and function. This is also important for the safe use of NM the design of novel NM, and sustainable concepts for NM fabrication. Here, we provide an overview of analytical methods for FG analysis and quantification and highlight method and material related challenges for selected NM. Analytical techniques address ed include electrochemical titration methods, optical assays, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and vibrational (IR) spectroscopy, and X ray based and thermal analysis methods. Criteria for method classification and evaluation include the need for a signal generating label, provision of either the total or derivatizable number of FG, and suitability for process and production control.
A journey in science from a graduate student in physical chemistry to head of division biophotonics
(2024)
I will provide a personal overview of the most important steps of my career in science, a journey from a graduate student in physical chemistry in an environment dominated by male-scientists over a postdoc with a female professor in the US to the leader of a research group, head of division Biophotonics at BAM. This will include my choices of research topics, how I learnt to write well cited publications, even on topics such as reference materials and quality assurance,1-4 and eventually started to give lectures at Free University Berlin granting me the right to act as first supervisor of undergraduate and graduate students.
Development of efficient portable sensors for accurately detecting biomarkers is crucial for early disease diagnosis, yet remains a significant challenge. To address this need, we introduce the enhanced luminescence lateral-flow assay, which leverages highly luminescent upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) alongside a portable reader and a smartphone app. The sensor’s efficiency and versatility were shown for kidney health monitoring as a proof of concept. We engineered Er3+- and Tm3+-doped UCNPs coated with multiple layers, including an undoped
inert matrix shell, a mesoporous silica shell, and an outer layer of
gold (UCNP@mSiO2@Au). These coatings synergistically enhance emission by over 40-fold and facilitate biomolecule conjugation, rendering UCNP@mSiO2@Au easy to use and suitable for a broad range of bioapplications. Employing these optimized nanoparticles in lateral-flow assays, we successfully detected two acute kidney injury-related biomarkers-kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL)-in urine samples. Using our sensor platform, KIM-1 and NGAL can be accurately detected and quantified
within the range of 0.1 to 20 ng/mL, boasting impressively low limits of detection at 0.28 and 0.23 ng/mL, respectively. Validating our approach, we analyzed clinical urine samples, achieving biomarker concentrations that closely correlated with results obtained via ELISA. Importantly, our system enables biomarker quantification in less than 15 min, underscoring the performance of our novel UCNP-based approach and its potential as reliable, rapid, and user-friendly diagnostics.
Reducing the size of upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) down to a few nm yields luminescent materials containing a very small number of emitters.
Considering the bottom limit of one activator per particle ultrasmall UCNPs offer an unprecedented platform to study the contributions of the energy transfers at play in upconversion luminescence. Maintaining detectable emission despite the limited number of emitting ions and the high surface-to-volume ratio requires suitable particle architectures.
Na(Gd-Yb)F4:Tm3+ emissive sub-3 nm diameter 𝜷-phase UCNPs are prepared using a gadolinium-rich composition in situ mixing of the precursors and a microwave high-temperature cycling sequence allowing precise control of the particle size and dispersity. These cores are coated with a NaGdF4 inert shell to minimize the deleterious influence of surface quenching (SQ).
Time-resolved luminescence measurements combining standard NIR excitation of the Yb3+ sensitizer and direct UV excitation of the Tm3+ activator are performed to quantify cross relaxation and surface quenching processes.
The fine tuning of the number of activators per particle via an optimized synthesis pathway along with the use of an appropriate excitation scheme enabled to provide an accurate analysis of the different mechanisms at play in these model nanoparticles and to characterize the structure of the core-shell architecture.
Spectroscopic ellipsometry was used to determine the thickness and dielectric function of a Aluminium Nitride (AlN) layer on a Si wafer. The layer was determined to be 170 nm thick. The layer was provided by AIXTRON and manufactured by means of MOVPE.
The data was created using a M2000DI spectroscopic ellipsometer from Woollam Co. Inc. Analysis was done using the CompleteEASE software. The model used is a multi-peak oscillator model for the AlN layer.
The data resembles common database values for the material AlN.
Since the original report in 2004 by Novoselov and Geim, Graphene gained incredible attention due to its fascinating properties. In the past 20 years, the synthesis and functionalization of graphene has evolved significantly[3]. Different synthesis techniques were developed which led to other graphenerelated materials such as graphene oxide (GO) or elemental-doped graphene. Further chemical functionalization can enhance but also alter or reduce specific properties of the graphene. To reveal the nature of these materials a proper physico‑chemical characterization with different analytical techniques is crucial.
Single-layer GO flakes kindly provided by Graphenea (Spain) were prepared for systematic image analysis. These flakes were disposed on an alignment-marked SiO2 substrate and correlatively imaged by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) and Raman spectroscopy. The high lateral resolution and/ or extreme surface sensitivity of the mentioned
techniques is necessary to explore monolayers. The ToF-SIMS images match well with the SEM and AFM images and provide information about the chemistry. With 2D Raman spectroscopy it is possible to differentiate between the number of stacked single-layer flakes. This is visualized in a 3D image (Figure b). Well-defined GO flakes could be used as a reference material for imaging of graphene-like structures but also of other types of 2D materials.
In addition to these monolayer GO flakes, commercial graphene-containing inks (Haydale) with a more complex morphology were also correlatively imaged. ToF-SIMS and SEM images were merged to identify the origin of different chemical fragments. The findings correlate closely with the expectation that the specific functionalizations (with fluorine and nitrogen as marker elements) are present only on the graphene flakes as presumed from the SEM images. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) supports these results, yet with a much lower sensitivity compared to ToF-SIMS.
Since the original report in 2004 by Novoselov and Geim, Graphene gained incredible attention due to its fascinating properties. In the past 20 years, the synthesis and functionalization of graphene has evolved significantly[3]. Different synthesis techniques were developed which led to other graphenerelated materials such as graphene oxide (GO) or elemental-doped graphene. Further chemical functionalization can enhance but also alter or reduce specific properties of the graphene. To reveal the nature of these materials a proper physico‑chemical characterization with different analytical techniques is crucial.
Single-layer GO flakes kindly provided by Graphenea (Spain) were prepared for systematic image analysis. These flakes were disposed on an alignment-marked SiO2 substrate and correlatively imaged by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) and Raman spectroscopy. The high lateral resolution and/ or extreme surface sensitivity of the mentioned
techniques is necessary to explore monolayers. The ToF-SIMS images match well with the SEM and AFM images and provide information about the chemistry. With 2D Raman spectroscopy it is possible to differentiate between the number of stacked single-layer flakes. This is visualized in a 3D image (Figure b). Well-defined GO flakes could be used as a reference material for imaging of graphene-like structures but also of other types of 2D materials.
In addition to these monolayer GO flakes, commercial graphene-containing inks (Haydale) with a more complex morphology were also correlatively imaged. ToF-SIMS and SEM images were merged to identify the origin of different chemical fragments. The findings correlate closely with the expectation that the specific functionalizations (with fluorine and nitrogen as marker elements) are present only on the graphene flakes as presumed from the SEM images. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) supports these results, yet with a much lower sensitivity compared to ToF-SIMS.
AbstractRecent studies have hypothesized that the reinforcing effects of boehmite nanoparticles (BNPs) in polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) are partly related to the particles themselves and partly to the water released from the BNP during curing. In this work, PNCs made from dried BNP (dBNP) with concentrations up to 15 wt% are investigated to differentiate particle and water related effects. The observed trend of the storage modulus in dynamic mechanical thermal analysis measurements was found to be independent of the drying procedure. Stiffness maps from intermodulation atomic force microscopy showed that dBNP leads to a stiffening of the interphase surrounding the particles compared with the unaffected epoxy matrix, while a softer interphase was reported for PNCs with as received BNP. A slight decrease in the glass transition temperature was observed by broadband dielectric spectroscopy related to a lowered crosslink density due to the particles. A significantly higher decrease was reported for PNCs with BNP, attributed to water influencing the curing process. In conclusion, the stiffening of PNC with BNP is related to the particles themselves, while the release of water causes the formation of a soft interphase in the vicinity of the particles and a significant decrease in crosslink density.
The DACHS (Database for Automation, Characterization and Holistic Synthesis) project aims to create completely traceable experimental data, covering syntheses, measurements, analyses, and interpretations. DACHS_MOFs focuses on the synthesis and characterisation of metal-organic frameworks, across multiple, automation-assisted experimental series (AutoMOFs), with the overall goal of producing reproducible MOF samples through tracking of the synthesis parameters.
DACHS_MOFs is simultaneously used to test the DACHS principles.
This upload contain synthesis data from AutoMOFs_3 in HDF5 format (.h5). Each .h5 file contains detailed information on the chemical, experimenal, and synthesis parameters used during the synthesis of a single AutoMOF sample.
The DACHS (Database for Automation, Characterization and Holistic Synthesis) project aims to create completely traceable experimental data, covering syntheses, measurements, analyses, and interpretations. DACHS_MOFs focuses on the synthesis and characterisation of metal-organic frameworks, across multiple, automation-assisted experimental series (AutoMOFs), with the overall goal of producing reproducible MOF samples through tracking of the synthesis parameters.
DACHS_MOFs is simultaneously used to test the DACHS principles.
This upload contain synthesis data from AutoMOFs_2 in HDF5 format (.h5). Each .h5 file contains detailed information on the chemical, experimenal, and synthesis parameters used during the synthesis of a single AutoMOF sample.
Laboratory sources offer a unique advantage compared to synchrotron sources, largely in terms of freedom of operation. This freedom from user obligations, technology and software stacks and legacy decisions make the laboratory a very flexible place to develop and explore new ideas. The unparalleled availability furthermore allows for iterative improvement of instrumentation, sample environments and measurement methodologies to maximise the quality of the data obtained.
This talk will highlight the use of the laboratory as an agile test-bed and development space, by giving examples of some complete and incomplete investigations undertaken in our laboratory over the last years. Furthermore, it will introduce the concept of holistic experimentation, where the laboratory provides broad-ranging support for materials science investigations. This means that we assist in the experimental preparation, perform the measurements, correction and analysis, and follow-up with assistance in interpretation of our analyses in light of the results from other techniques applied to the investigation.
A chemical engineer by training, Brian drifted towards physics and now focuses on a broad spectrum of activities with the aim to improve scientific reproducibility. This includes studies on holistically improving data quality, data collection efficiency and traceability, as well as concomitant laboratory automation for the preparation of consistent, well-documented sample series. The need for pragmatism led to an inexpensive, flexible laboratory automation platform that can be implemented in a modest amount of time. This talk presents that effort.
ACCORDs is an Horizon Europe project working in the development of an imaging-based characterization framework (ACCORDs framework) for the holistic correlative assessment of Graphene Family Materials (GFMs) as a representative of 2D nanomaterials (NMs) to assess and predict 2D NMs health and environmental risks. The ACCORDs framework will operationalise safe and sustainable by design (SSbD) strategies proposed in past or ongoing H2020 projects or within OECD by correlating low-, medium-, and high-resolution physico-chemical-biological imaging-based methods with non-imaging methods in a tiered approach. ACCORDs will deliver the ACCORDs framework and user guidance, new imaging-based characterisation methods, reference in vitro tests, new reference 2D NMs for different matrices, a new minimum information reporting guideline for FAIR data sharing and reuse of images as well as an atlas with reference images for diagnostics of compromised safety of GFMs/GFM products. The new guidelines and standard proposals will be submitted to standardisation bodies to allow creation of regulatory ready products. The novelty of ACCORDs is in translating the principles of medical imaging-based diagnostics to 2D material hazard diagnostics. ACCORDs will accelerate industrial sectors in the area of aviation, marine construction, drone production, flexible electronics, photovoltaics, photocatalytics and print inks-based sensors. The value ACCORDs proposes to the graphene industry are practical, easy, imaging-based tools for GFM quality monitoring next to the production line with a possibility to be correlated with advanced highresolution imaging characterization methods in case hazard i.e. deviation from controls (benchmark values) are diagnosed. The ACCORDs framework and tools will contribute to the European Green Deal by addressing the topic: “Graphene: Europe in the lead” and to a new European strategy on standardization, released on 2nd February, 2022.
Standardised methods need validation. The main validation parameters like trueness, repeatability and intermediate precision and reproducibility are presented. Furthermore, different methods for the validation are disussed: (certified) reference materials, representative testing materials and interlaboratory comparisons. At last, the need of proficiency testing is stressed.
Revealing surface functionalities of micro- and nanoplastic particles’ surface by means of XPS
(2024)
Over the last 20 years, many researchers, politicians, and citizens themselves have become increasingly aware of the growing plastic problem of our time. Inadequate recycling concepts, collection points, and careless dumping of plastic products in the environment lead to an accumulation of plastic. External weather influences can cause these to degrade and fractionate, so that today microplastics (1-1000 µm, ISO/TR 21960:2020) [1] of different polymer materials can be detected in all parts of the world.
The precautionary principle applies to microplastics. The particles can break down further to form nanoplastics (<1 µm, ISO/TR 21960:2020) [1]. Whether microplastics or nanoplastics pose a toxicological hazard is being investigated in a variety of ways. Valid results are still pending, however, investigations into the frequency, transport, possible sinks and entry paths must be taken into account. This is why monitoring of microplastics is already required in the revision of the Drinking Water Framework Directive [2]. The same is still pending in the final version of the revision of the Waste Water Framework Directive this year, but is expected.
Nanoplastics are particularly under discussion for having a toxic effect on humans and animals, as these particles are small enough to be absorbed by cells. For targeted toxicological studies, it is important to have test and reference materials that resemble the particles found in the environment. To mimic environmental samples, these materials should also have an irregular shape and show aging at the surface, which can be detected with XPS or SEM/EDS.
BAM in collaboration with the EMPIR project "PlasticTrace" works on a reference material candidate of nano-sized polypropylene (nano-PP) [3]. The nano-PP vials were tested for homogeneity with PTA and further characterized with bulk and surface-sensitive techniques. An SEM image and a corresponding XPS spectrum are presented in Figure 1. Raman measurements as well as XPS indicate an aged surface.
Small-area XPS analysis is one of the most popular and powerful methods for analysing the surface of features in the micro-range. When measuring microstructures, the ques-tion arises whether the measuring point is really located at the point intended to be ana-lysed. Information in a measured spectrum might originate within the field of view (FoV) on the surface of the sample, from outside the FoV, or even from inherent contamination. To ensure that small structures can be measured correctly regardless of user and instru-ment, certain instrument and sample settings must be known and selected correctly: beam and aperture size as well as the aperture settings and the approximate dimensions of the structure to be analysed. This is the only way to ensure that the information in the spectrum originates only from the FoV on the analysed structure.
To test the performance of the XPS instruments, a dedicated test material was developed that consists of a gold surface on which 8 circles and 8 squares of chrome are incorpo-rated using a masking process, so that the Au substrate and the Cr structure surfaces are in the same surface plane. In order to be able to test as many as possible instruments from different manufacturers, the structures have been designed with a size ranging from 300 µm down to 7 µm. The layout of the test material has been optimised in regard of the handling. The structures are arranged along lines instead of a circumference, marking arrows around the smaller structures (≤50 µm) are added, and the lithography mask is optimised regarding edge and diffraction effects. Furthermore, the manufacturing process was changed from electron-beam deposition to mask lithography due to costs reasons. The structures on the test material were measured with a metrological SEM to determine their accurate dimensions and check the repeatability of the manufacturing process. XPS investigations with a Kratos AXIS Ultra DLD and an ULVAC-Phi Quantes demonstrates the suitability of this new test material for measuring the analysed area.
Ni-Fe oxide nanoparticles have gained a lot of interest because of their high activity in the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) which is crucial for water splitting. [1] Although there have been great efforts in the last years, the understanding of the synergistic effect between Fe and Ni is still under discussion.
Therefore, we prepared different Ni-Fe oxide nanoparticles with different compositions from pure iron oxide to pure nickel oxide adapting a known procedure. [2,3] Size and morphology of the nanoparticles depend on the composition which was shown with Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The compositions of the nanoparticles were measured with a comparative approach using X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Hard X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (HAXPES), and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS) coupled with the TEM providing detailed chemical information of the nanoparticles in different sample regions. EDS reveals that the different sample regions are dominated by one of the components, Fe or Ni, but a slight mixing between the components can be found (see Figure 1), which was confirmed with X-ray Diffraction (XRD). XPS indicates the enrichment of Fe at the sample surface, while HAXPES and EDS data agree on the stoichiometry of the bulk. High-resolution XPS and HAXPES exhibit some differences in the valence states of Fe and Ni, whereas Ni seems to be easier to reduce than Fe. Further investigations combining these different techniques and additionally Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) are ongoing by using in situ approaches and coupling cyclic voltammetry to the analytical techniques.
The main properties and main methods which are needed for the physico-chemical characterisation of graphene related 2D materials are discussed. As expample for standardization, protocols for the measurement of the chemical composition with XPS are discussed. The results of an interlaboratory comparisons led to new recommendations for the reliable measurments protocols.
Graphene and related 2D materials (GR2Ms) are now entering an exciting phase of commercialization and use in products. Graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) can be obtained in rather large quantities, but the properties of these industrially produced powders can vary depending on the production method, and even from batch to batch. Understanding and optimizing the surface chemistry of GNPs, modified through chemical functionalization processes is crucial, because it affects their dispersibility in solvents and matrices for the purpose of embedding them into real-world products. Therefore, reliable and repeatable measurements of the surface chemistry of functionalized GNPs are an important issue for suppliers as well as users of these materials. To address these concerns, international documentary ISO standards for measurement methodologies are under development which incorporate protocols that are becoming widely accepted in the community.
Recently, it was shown that pelletizing led to lower average O/C atomic ratios than those measured for powders [1]. In another study, the influence of the morphology on the degree of functionalization was shown [2]. As expected, a higher degree of functionalization was detected for smaller GNPs. The functionalization was located at the outermost surfaces of the GNPs by comparing experiments using photoelectron with soft (Al Kα, 1.486 keV) and hard X-rays (Cr Kα, 5.405 keV). Therefore, it is important for those using GNPs to understand both the physical and chemical properties of these particles, when considering their use in different applications.
The next step for reliable characterization protocols was the realization of an interlaboratory comparison under the auspices of VAMAS (Versailles Project on Advanced Materials and Standards) with 22 participating laboratories from all over the world. Samples of oxygen-, nitrogen-, and fluorine- functionalized GNPs were provided to the participants along with a measurement protocol. Participants were asked to prepare the samples as powders on a tape, powders in a sample holder recess, or as pellets. The lower measured O/C ratio reported for pelletized samples [1] was confirmed. The lowest scattering of the results was observed for the powders measured in the recess (Fig. 1). Furthermore, an influence of the humidity on the results was observed.