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The study of protein corona formation on nanoparticles (NPs) represents an actual main issue in colloidal, biomedical and toxicological sciences. However, little is known about the influence of polymer shells on the formation and time evolution of protein corona onto functionalized NPs. Therefore, silicapoly(ethylene glycol) core–shell nanohybrids (SNPs@PEG) with different polymer molecular weights (MW) were synthesized and exhaustively characterized. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) at different concentrations (0.1–6 wt%) was used as model protein to study protein corona formation and time evolution. For pristine SNPs and SNPs@PEG (MW = 350 g/mol), zeta potential at different incubation times show a dynamical evolution of the nanoparticle–protein corona. Oppositely, for SNPs@PEG with MW ≥2000 g/mol a significant suppression of corona formation and time evolution was observed.
Furthermore, AFM investigations suggest a different orientation (side-chain or perpendicular) and Penetration depth of BSA toward PEGylated surfaces depending on the polymer length which may explain differences in protein corona evolution.
Recommendations on a Revision of the EC Definition of Nanomaterial Based on Analytical Possibilities
(2015)
In October 2011 the European Commission (EC) published a "Recommendation on the definition of nanomaterial" (2011/696/EU), to promote consistency in the interpretation of the term "nanomaterial" for legislative and policy purposes in the EU. The EC NM Definition includes a commitment to its review in the light of experience and of scientific and technological developments. This review is ongoing in 2015 and as a contribution to the review the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission (JRC) has already developed a series of three scientific-technical reports with the title: “Towards a review of the EC Recommendation for a definition of the term nanomaterial” which provides to the EC policy services science-based options on how the definition could be revised or supported with additional guidance.
The overarching nature and wide scope of the EC NM Definition, as it does not exclude a priori any particulate material regardless the state, form and size, creates many analytical challenges in its imple-mentation for all stakeholders, including enterprises and regulators.
The NanoDefine project has as core objective to support the implementation of the EC NM Definition. In this report key aspects of the EC NM Definition are addressed, with the goal to improve the implement-ability of the EC NM Definition. These aspects are presented and discussed based on the results of two years of research performed within the framework of the project. As a result this report assesses how well the requirements of the EC NM Definition can be fulfilled with currently available analytical possi-bilities. It presents recommendations and options on a revision of the EC NM Definition to improve the implementability of the definition based on currently available analytical possibilities, according to the state of the art of mid-2015.
Of the technical issues considered in this report, the following seem to deserve the most attention in terms of clarification of the definition and/or provision of additional implementation guidance:
The term ‘external dimension’.
A clear definition of 'External dimension' should be included in the text of the EC NM definition and more precise guidance on what is considered as an external dimension and how to properly character-ise it should be provided.
The ‘number based particle size distribution‘.
The EC NM Definition uses a threshold related to the number based size distribution of particles. Yet most of the easily available techniques provide a mass-, volume- or scattered light intensity-based size distribution which needs to be converted into a number based distribution to be used for regulatory pur-poses. A specific guidance on the conditions under which these methods can be used to identify a na-nomaterial by employing appropriate quantity or metrics conversion should be provided.
The ‘polydispersity‘ and ‘upper size limit‘
Polydispersity is a challenge for the measurement of particle size distribution for the EC NM definition, specifically for materials with high polydispersity index and broad size distribution especially when the volume or mass of the fraction containing particles below 100 nm is very small. Therefore a dedicated guidance should be provided that allows applying an upper size limit in measurements and particle statistics.
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.
In recent years, elemental imaging of biological samples using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) is gaining in importance. Latest improvements regarding spatial resolution (down to 1 µm) and washout time make LA-ICP-MS particularly interesting for single cell analysis.
Many current nanomaterials can serve as contrast agents in cellular or tissue imaging, drug delivery vehicles or therapeutics, whereas others can cause toxic effects. In order to evaluate nano-bio interactions, the number of nanoparticles (NPs) inside cells as well as their localisation within cellular substructures is of particular interest.
LA-ICP-MS was used to study the NP pathway from uptake, via intracellular processing up to cell division. Fibroblast cells were incubated with different metallic NPs under varying experimental conditions. For LA analysis the cells were fixed with formaldehyde and dried.
Our results show that LA-ICP-MS is able to localise NP aggregates within cellular substructures. The NPs accumulate in the perinuclear region in the course of intracellular processing, e.g. multivesicular fusion and endosomal maturation, but do not enter the nucleus [1, 2]. A strong dependence of NP uptake on concentration and incubation time was found. Additionally, the number of NPs internalized by individual cells was determined and variations within the cell population became visible.
A new laser ablation system providing a short washout time (50 ms) together with small spot sizes (< 4 µm) and high repetition rates allows high spatial resolution applications. First results of cell imaging will be shown.
The findings demonstrate the potential of LA-ICP-MS enabling insight into NP uptake and intracellular distribution dependent on experimental parameters.
Multifunctional composite nanoprobes consisting of iron oxide nanoparticles linked to silver and gold nanoparticles, Ag–Magnetite and Au–Magnetite, respectively, were introduced by endocytic uptake into cultured fibroblast cells. The cells containing the non-toxic nanoprobes were shown to be displaceable in an external magnetic field and can be manipulated in microfluidic channels. The distribution of the composite nanostructures that are contained in the endosomal system is discussed on the basis of surfaceenhanced Raman scattering (SERS) mapping, quantitative laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) micromapping, and cryo soft X-ray tomography (cryo soft-XRT). Cryo soft-XRT of intact, vitrified cells reveals that the composite nanoprobes form intra-endosomal aggregates. The nanoprobes provide SERS signals from the biomolecular composition of their surface in the endosomal environment. The SERS data indicate the high stability of the nanoprobes and of their plasmonic properties in the harsh environment of endosomes and lysosomes. The spectra point at the molecular composition at the surface of the Ag–Magnetite and Au–Magnetite nanostructures that is very similar to that of other Composite structures, but different from the composition of pure silver and gold SERS nanoprobes used for intracellular investigations. As shown by the LA-ICP-MS data, the uptake efficiency of the magnetite composites is approximately two to three times higher than that of the pure gold and silver nanoparticles.
Safety assessment of nanoparticles (NPs) requires techniques that are suitable to quantify tissue and cellular uptake of NPs. The most commonly applied techniques for this purpose are based on inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Here we apply and compare three different ICP-MS methods to investigate the cellular uptake of TiO2 (diameter 7 or 20 nm, respectively) and Ag (diameter 50 or 75 nm, respectively) NPs into differentiated mouse neuroblastoma cells (Neuro-2a cells). Cells were incubated with different amounts of the NPs. Thereafter they were either directly analyzed by laser ablation ICP-MS (LA-ICP-MS) or were lysed and lysates were analyzed by ICP-MS and by single particle ICP-MS (SP-ICP-MS).
In this study, a new reliable, economic, and environmentally-friendly one-step synthesis is established to obtain carbon nanodots (CNDs) with well-defined and reproducible photoluminescence (PL) properties via the microwave-assisted hydrothermal treatment of starch and Tris-acetate-EDTA (TAE) buffer as carbon sources. Three kinds of CNDs are prepared using different sets of above mentioned starting materials. The as-synthesized CNDs: C-CND (starch only), N-CND 1 (starch in TAE) and N-CND 2 (TAE only) exhibit highly homogenous PL and are ready to use without need for further purification.
The CNDs are stable over a long period of time (>1 year) either in solution or as freeze-dried powder. Depending on starting material, CNDs with PL quantum yield (PLQY) ranging from less than 1% up to 28% are obtained. The influence of the precursor concentration, reaction time and type of additives on the optical properties (UV-Vis absorption, PL emission spectrum and PLQY) is carefully investigated, providing insight into the chemical processes that occur during CND formation. Remarkably, upon freeze-drying the initially brown CND-solution turns into a non-fluorescent white/slightly Brown powder which recovers PL in aqueous solution and can potentially be applied as fluorescent marker in bio-imaging, as a reduction agent or as a photocatalyst.
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) represents the mostly widespread method available in analytical laboratories dedicated to the characterization of physical properties such as morphology of various solid materials from ‘micro-’ down to the nanometre scale. The use of secondary electrons excited by a sharply, nm-focussed primary electron beam enables at any modern SEM to image objects with high in-depth and lateral sensitivity, i.e. with high spatial resolution. Hence, e. g. nanoparticles (NPs) are able to be easily characterized with respect to their individual size and shape, but also to the morphology of their surface.
By preparing the nano-objects on thin membranes as electron transparent samples it is possible to perform electron microscopy in the transmission mode (TEM and TSEM). The corresponding transmission (i.e. mass-thickness) contrast reveals in-depth information, but is also well suited for dimensional measurements in the 2D projection image. Both the surface sensitive mode and the transmission one are meanwhile available at any modern SEM. If an X-ray spectrometer is attached to an electron microscope, it is possible to analyse the characteristic X-rays induced by electron bombardment. Most electron microscopes have attached an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDX) so that EDX elemental maps can be carried out. Recent technological developments of high throughput EDS detectors and their advantages regarding high-resolution X-ray analysis down to the nm range are reviewed.
High-resolution micrographs (SEM, TSEM, TEM) and corresponding X-ray elemental maps on various representative nanoparticles, but also layered samples prepared in cross-section, will be presented and discussed. The importance of selecting the best suited analysis conditions will be highlighted. Also other, often challenging, topics such as sample preparation and image data processing will be critically addressed by practical examples. Further analytical techniques able to be employed at an electron microscope, like cathodoluminescence (CL) or micro-X-ray fluorescence (µXRF) will be briefly surveyed.
In vivo detailed spatial distribution of TiO2 NPs was here investigated for the first time using a 2D chemical imaging analysis based on Confocal Raman Spectroscopy. The invertebrate nematode C. elegans was employed as prototypical model of living organism. Rod, bipyramidal and quasi-spherical engineered TiO2 NPs with different primary particle sizes and agglomeration states were prepared, characterized and then administered to nematodes. Exploiting the typical fingerprint of TiO2 in the Raman spectrum, we monitored the biodistribution of NPs inside the worm using a non-invasive, label-free method. The high spatial resolution chemical imaging and the specificity of the Raman technique in the localization of TiO2 NPs helped in the design of behavioral C. elegans studies aimed at elucidating the relationship among the size, shape, and agglomeration state of NPs and their ability to induce specific toxic effects.
Simple, fast, and versatile methods for the quantification of thiol groups are of considerable interest not only for protein analysis but also for the characterization of the surface chemistry of nanomaterials stabilized with thiol ligands or bearing thiol groups for the subsequent (bio-) functionalization via maleimide−thiol chemistry. Here, we compare two simple colorimetric assays, the widely used Ellman’s assay performed at alkaline pH and the aldrithiol assay executed at acidic and neutral pH, with respect to their potential for the quantification of thiol groups and thiol ligands on different types of nanoparticles like polystyrene nanoparticles, semiconductor nanocrystals (SC NC), and noble metal particles, and we derive criteria for their use. In order to assess the underlying reaction mechanisms and to obtain stoichiometry factors mandatory for reliable thiol quantification, both methods were studied photometrically and with electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ESI-TOF-MS), thereby demonstrating the influence of different thiols on the reaction mechanism. Our results underline the suitability of both methods for the quantification of directly accessible thiol groups or ligands on the surface of 2D- and 3D-supports, here exemplarily polystyrene nanoparticles. Moreover, we could derive strategies for the use of these simple assays for the determination of masked (i.e., not directly accessible) thiol groups like disulfides such as lipoic acid and thiol stabilizing ligands coordinatively bound to Cd and/or Hg surface atoms of II/VI and ternary SC NC and to gold and silver nanoparticles.
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 authors have tested the prototype of an electrospray deposition system developed by the company RAMEM under its trademark IONER. To test the prototype and assess its performance, several materials have been sprayed onto TEM grids and the resulting particle distributions were compared to more traditional sample preparation strategies like the “drop on grid” method. Operation parameters such as the sample flow-rate, capillary – substrate distance, electric field strength and sampling period length have been optimized. It was found that the particles deposited by electrospray generally show a much more homogeneous spatial distribution on the substrate and a substantial increase of the number of single particles, which are much better suited to an automatic image evaluation procedure than the agglomerated particles observed otherwise. The applicability of the technique to a broad range of materials is demonstrated by various examples, but also the influence of the substrate, the choice of the particular TEM grid, on the obtained spatial particle distribution is assessed.
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) or Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) ? This is a question, nowadays discussed in EM labs of research and industry involved in the characterization and metrology of nanoparticles. The Scanning principle is adapted to TEM, the Transmission mode is adapted to Ultra High Resolution SEM. Can modern SEM replace TEM, reach atomic resolution even without Cs corrector or nm lateral resolution for X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX)?
Due to the development of a New Cold Field Emission (NCFE) electron source Hitachi SEMs SU9000 and SU8200 can deliver routinely sub-nm image resolution and EDX mappings at very high count rates and a lateral EDX resolution of a few nm. A TiO2 sample provided by BAM was analysed at 30 kV using low kV STEM – simultaneously with the Through-the-lens (TTL) SE detector, the Bright Field transmission and Dark Field transmission signals. By this method a pixel-precise information of the particle’s surface using SE, its chemical nature using DF-STEM and its crystalline structure using Bright Field signal is given in one 40sec scan. The advantage of this observation mode compared to Ultra Low Voltage imaging is outlined.
The content of the paper is the assessment of the performance of (conventional) measurement techniques (MTs)with respect to the classification of disperse materials according to the EC recommendation for a definition of nanomaterial. This performance essentially refers to the accurate assessment of the number weighted median of (the constituent) particles. All data and conclusions are based on the analytical study conducted as real-world performance testing.
It comprised different types of MTs (imaging, counting, fractionating, spectroscopic and integral) as well as different types of materials. Beside reference materials with well-defined size distribution the study also included several commercial powders (variation of particle composition, morphology, coating, size range and polydispersity). In order to ensure comparability of measurement results, the participants were guided to use uniform protocols in sample preparation, conducting measurements, data analysis and in reporting results. Corresponding documents have been made public, in order to support the reviewing process of the paper, respectively to ensure the reproducibility of data by other users under the same conditions.
The scientific paper relies on a comprehensive set of revised measurement data reported in uniform templates, completely describes the experimental procedures and discusses the MTs’ performance for selected materials in detail. Even more, the study is summarised and evaluated, which leads to recommendations for the use of MTs within a tiered approach of NM characterisation. In addition, the paper critically examines the factors that may affect the outcome of such a comparison among different MTs.
Photodegradation of organic pollutants in water by immobilized porphyrins and phthalocyanines
(2016)
New methods for water treatment are required as a result from an increasing awareness in the reduction of the pollution impact in the environment. In the perspective of the photo-oxidation of organic pollutants present in water, the principal incentive for the preparation of heterogeneous photocatalysts is their easy recovery from the reaction mixture, which allows their reuse in successive runs, minimizing the loss of their original photocatalytic properties. Different types of supports can be used in the immobilization of photoactive species, such as porphyrins (Pors) and phthalocyanines (Pcs). This mini-review will consider the different methodologies for the immobilization of Pors and Pcs and their photocatalytic performance in the photodegradation of organic pollutants in water, addressing also their recycling ability in successive water treatments.
The TiO2 material selected for the present inter-laboratory comparison (ILC) was the bipyramidal anatase UT001 batch synthesized hydrothermally by University of Turin in the frame of the EU/FP7 Project SETNanoMetro and carefully prepared on TEM grids by BAM to be distributed to the ILC participants. A clear measurement protocol including data analysis and reporting (including an xls reporting template) has been also prepared by BAM. 14 of 18 participants have measured and reported results which have been already checked by BAM as being conform to the agreed protocol. After receiving the last results (of 4 participants) the ILC data evaluation will be carried out by BAM in line with agreed ISO/TC229 procedures as for the other case sudies.
A proposal of an inter-laboratory study (ILC) on determination of size and shape distribution of TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) by transmission electron microscopy is presented. The anatase NPs synthesized in a controllable fashion within the EU/FP7 project SETNanoMetro can be considered as shape-defined (bipyramidal) and are offered to complete the list of case studies already in progress within ISO/TC229/JWG2. The main points of the measurement procedure are presented as well as a proposed procedure to evaluate the size and shape according to the standard operation procedure already developed within SETNanoMetro is discussed. Potential ILC participants and a plan with next step to be carried out are proposed.
Evaluation of electron microscopy techniques for the purpose of classification of nanomaterials
(2016)
One current and much-debated topic in the characterization of nanomaterials (NM) is the implementation of the recently introduced recommendation on a definition of a nanomaterial by the European Commission.
All currently available sizing techniques able to address nanoparticles were systematically evaluated. It was demonstrated that particle sizing techniques like: analytical centrifugation, particle tracking analysis, single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass-spectrometry, differential electrical mobility analysis, dynamic light scattering, small angle X-ray scattering, ultrasonic attenuation spectrometry, but also gas Adsorption analysis based on the BET-method can be applied for a screening classification. However, the quality of the results depends on the individual material to be classified. For well-dispersed, nearly spherical (nano)particles most of the sizing techniques can be applied in a quick and reliable way. In contrast, the classification of most real-world materials is a challenging task, mainly due to non-spherical particle shape, large polydispersity or strong agglomeration/ aggregation of the particles. In the present study it was shown that these issues can be resolved in most cases by electron microscopy as a confirmatory classification technique.
Electron microscopy techniques such as TEM, STEM, SEM or TSEM transmission in SEM) are capable of assessing the size of individual nanoparticles accurately (see Figures 1 and 2). Nevertheless the challenging aspect is sample preparation from powder or liquid form on the substrate, so that a homogeneous distribution of well-separated (deagglomerated) particles is attained. The systematic study in this work shows examples where the extraction of the critical, smallest particle dimension - as the decisive particle parameter for the classification as a NM - is possible by analysing the sample after its simple, dry preparation. The consequences of additional typical issues like loss of information due to Screening of smaller particles by larger ones or the (in)ability to access the constituent particles in aggregates are discussed.
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.
Coating, stabilization layers, functionalization of particles or simple contamination are common variants of a core-shell system. For smaller nanoparticles this is of major importance. A particle with 16 nm diameter and a usual surface layer of 2 nm will have the same volume for the core as for the shell. In this case the material of the particle doesn’t have a clear definition. It is a common case that a particle consists of four different layers: Core, shell, stabilization layer and contamination. The properties of the particles differ according to this structure. For example silver particles might have a different dissolution rate for pure particles and for particles which are grown on top of a core.
Different solubility or defined other properties of materials is a common reason for producing core-shell systems. Gold cores are surrounded by silica to stabilize them or to get a defined distance between the cores. Silica might be surrounded by gold and the silica dissolved afterwards. This delivers hollow shells. Another important example for core-shell systems are quantum dots. A small core is surrounded by a different material for increasing the photoluminescence. Furthermore there a stabilization layer is needed. The smallest part of the final particles is the initial core. The photoluminescence is based on this core, but the shells contain much more material. Categorization should address this.
Core-shell systems are not covered by most of the existing decision trees for grouping. They are either regarded as special case or a singular layer. This disqualifies core-shell systems for grouping within the common models. There might be a very easy way to avoid this problem and even to combine some of the different decision trees. Starting the decision tree with the solubility of the outer shell and subsequently addressing the inner layers will be a pragmatic approach to solve the problem. If there is no shell, the categorization can start with a tiered approach or with the proposed “stawman” chemical categorization. If a shell is covering the surface there is a need to check if the shell is stable. If it is stable, the particle can be categorized based on this shell. If it is soluble, the ions need to be addressed as in the classic case. Furthermore the shell might increase the uptake by the cells. If the ions and the uptake are not critical the categorization can continue with the next layer.
With this not perfect but pragmatic approach, the surface layers can be addressed with very limited additional efforts. Most criteria are based on classically tabulated data. Including a rating system like the precautionary matrix approach might even address the fact that some parameters are not always Yes/No, e.g. solubility, ion toxicity and uptake.
Although aluminium is one of the most common elements in the biosphere, up to now little is known about its impact on human health. aluminium and its chemical derivatives are highly abundant in food, food contact materials and consumer products. Humans are exposed to aluminium via the gastrointestinal tract (GI tract). Exposition can change substantially due to consumer behavior since aluminium is also a compound of numerous food additives. Recently, aluminium exposition is increasingly considered to cohere with cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. Lately, due to an increasing attentiveness on this topic, limiting values for food additives have been tightened by the EFSA. However, cellular effects of aluminium and especially aluminium-containing nanomaterials, that represent a significant part of chemicals found in food products, are widely unknown and in the focus of our research activities, for example in the bilateral SolNanoTOX project. We established an in vitro simulation system of the GI tract, where nanomaterials undergo the different physiological, chemical and proteinbiochemical conditions of saliva, gastric juice and the intestine. The artificially digested nanomaterials, as well as soluble aluminium chloride as ionic control substance, were subjected to several analytical and biochemical methods to characterize their change of appearance and their cytotoxic effects on intestinal cellular models. We observed the fate of the nanomaterials during typical pH-values of saliva, gastric and intestinal juice with Dynamic light scattering measurements and ICP-MS in the single particle mode. After observable disappearance at pH 2 the particles recovered in the simulated intestinal fluid. The simulation of the GI tract, mainly the change of pH settings, can lead to a certain chemical activation of aluminium that can increase bioavailability in the intestine after oral uptake of aluminium-containing food products. In vitro assays like CTB, MTT and cellular impedance measurements showed that there were no acute cytotoxic effects measurable after a period up to 48h after incubation, comparable to undigested particles. In contrast, high amounts of aluminium ions showed synergistic effects on cell viability compared to non-digested aluminium ions. Although toxicological potential of Al ions to healthy tissue appears to be low, increased hazardous potential cannot be ruled out to pre-damaged tissue and can have a relevance in risk assessment for special consumer groups with for example chronical intestinal inflammation or dietary eating behavior combined with high exposure to Al-containing food products.
Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) are widely used in consumer products due to their excellent antibacterial properties. Their broad application has led to a variety of recent regulation on their use and labelling. Thus, a highly specific analytical method for their characterization and quantification is needed.
Due to their large separation range, field-flow fractionation (FFF) techniques are repeatedly applied for the analysis of NP. Limitations of FFF include quantification, sample loss and insufficient recovery rates. Another challenge can be non-ideal elution behavior of particles in complex and unknown matrices.
The possible sources for sample losses of Ag NP have been studied using an asymmetric flow FFF (AF4) in combination with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The influence of different parameters, for example the sample concentration, on the recovery rates and sample loss has been investigated. Using laser ablation ICP-MS, the Ag deposition on the membrane was located and quantified. Our results identified ionic silver as the main sources of sample loss. These results can be useful for further method improvement.
However, when a Ag NP sample containing an unknown complex matrix is analyzed, FFF method optimization is challenging as the sample might show a shift in the retention times and lower recovery rates. In this case, ICP-MS experiment in the single particle mode (sp-ICP-MS) can be a useful addition to the FFF measurement. Here, upon assumption of spherical particles, the geometric diameters can be calculated. This fast and easy approach can be helpful in order to interpret the FFF fractograms and advice the FFF method optimization process.
Measurement of changes of pH at various intracellular compartments has potential to solve questions concerning the processing of endocytosed material, regulation of the acidification process, and also acidification of vesicles destined for exocytosis. To monitor these events, the nanosized optical pH probes need to provide ratiometric signals in the optically transparent biological window, target to all relevant intracellular compartments, and to facilitate imaging at subcellular resolution without interference from the biological matrix. To meet these criteria we sensitize the surface conjugated pH sensitive indicator via an upconversion process utilizing an energy transfer from the nanoparticle to the indicator. Live cells were imaged with a scanning confocal microscope equipped with a low-energy 980 nm laser excitation, which facilitated high resolution and penetration depth into the specimen, and low phototoxicity needed for long-term imaging. Our upconversion nanoparticle resonance energy transfer based sensor with polyethylenimine-coating provides high colloidal stability, enhanced cellular uptake, and distribution across cellular compartments. This distribution was modulated with membrane integrity perturbing treatment that resulted into total loss of lysosomal compartments and a dramatic pH shift of endosomal compartments. These nanoprobes are well suited for detection of pH changes in in vitro models with high biological background fluorescence and in in vivo applications, e.g., for the bioimaging of small animal models.
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) or Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) ? This is a question, nowadays discussed in EM labs of research and industry involved in the characterization and metrology of nanoparticles. The Scanning principle is adapted to TEM, the Transmission mode is adapted to Ultra High Resolution SEM. Can modern SEM replace TEM, reach atomic resolution even without Cs corrector or nm lateral resolution for energydispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX)?
Due to the development of a New Cold Field Emission (NCFE) electron source Hitachi SEMs SU9000 and SU8200 can deliver routinely sub-nm image resolution and EDX mappings at very high count rates and a lateral EDX resolution of a few nm. A TiO2 sample provided by BAM was analysed at 30kV using low kV STEM – simultaneously with the Through-the-lens (TTL) SE detector, the Bright Field transmitted and Dark Field transmitted signals. By this method a pixel precise information of the particles surface using SE, its chemical nature using DF-STEM and its crystalline structure using Bright Field signal is given in one 40sec scan. The advantage of this observation mode compared to Ultra Low Voltage imaging is outlined.
The EC recommendation for the definition of nanomaterial [2011/696/EU] requires the quantitative size determination of constituent particles in samples down to 1 nm. Accordingly, a material is a nanomaterial if 50 % or more of the particles are in the size range 1-100 nm. The fact that engineered nanomaterials already exist in many industrial and consumer products challenges the development of measurement methods to reliably identify, characterize and quantify their occurrence as substance and in various matrices.
The EU FP7 NanoDefine project [www.nanodefine.eu] has addressed this challenge by developing a robust, readily implementable and cost-effective measurement strategy to obtain quantitative particle size distributions and to distinguish between nano and non-nano materials according to the EU definition. Based on a comprehensive evaluation of existing methodologies and intra- and inter-lab comparisons, validated measurement methods and instrument calibration procedures have been established to reliably measure the size of particles within 1-100 nm, and beyond, including different shapes, coatings and chemical compositions in industrial materials and consumer products. Case studies prove their applicability for various sectors, including food, pigments and cosmetics.
Main outcome is the establishment of an integrated tiered approach including rapid screening (tier 1) and confirmatory methods (tier 2), and a user manual to guide end-users, such as manufacturers, in selecting appropriate methods. Another main product is the “NanoDefiner” e-Tool allowing the standardised / semi-automated selection of appropriate methods for material classification according to the EU definition. Results also contribute to standardization efforts, such as CEN TC 352 or ISO TC 229.
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.
Although there are many experimental techniques for measuring particle sizes and size distributions, electron microscopy (EM) is still considered as the gold standard in this field, especially when it comes to particle sizes in the nanorange (1 nm – 100 nm). Furthermore, high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) can be applied to individual nanoparticles. To be able to extract accurate information from the EM micrographs and EDS elemental maps that are representative for the material under investigation, one needs to assure the representativity of the particles as sampled on the substrate and their homogeneous spatial distribution, to avoid operator bias when selecting the imaged area. Furthermore, agglomeration should be avoided as far as possible. Several sample preparation techniques exist since a long time, the most common way being suspending the particles in a liquid and depositing them on the grid. However, this procedure includes the drying of larger solvent amounts on the substrate itself, which can affect the spatial distribution of the deposited particles. One possibility to overcome this problem is the use of an electrospray system, where the suspension of particles is sprayed onto the substrate in charged droplets that are so small that they either dry off on the substrate immediately without affecting the position of particles, or even already during their flight time to the substrate. No dedicated commercial instruments are available for the preparation of TEM grids yet, only electrostatic deposition of aerosols on TEM grids has been reported so far. To test the prototype and assess its performance, several materials have been sprayed onto TEM grids and the resulting particle distributions were compared to more traditional sample preparation strategies like the “drop on grid” method. Operation parameters such as the sample flow-rate, capillary – substrate distance, electric field strength and sampling period length have been optimised. It was found that the particles deposited by electrospray generally show a much more homogeneous spatial distribution on the substrate and a substantial increase of the number of single particles, which are much better suited to an automatic image evaluation procedure than the agglomerated particles observed otherwise. The applicability of the technique to a broad range of materials is demonstrated by various examples, but also the influence of the substrate, the choice of the particular TEM grid, on the obtained spatial particle distribution is assessed.
Introduction: Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) is an atomic emission analytical technique, wide spreading in laboratories and industries. One way to dramatically increase its analytical results is to deposit metal NPs on the sample surface, resulting in an better version called Nanoparticle Enhanced LIBS (NELIBS). In order to better know and use this technique, the evolution of the plasma has been studied with Tomography.
In October 2011 the European Commission (EC) published a "Recommendation on the definition of na-nomaterial" (2011/696/EU), to promote consistency in the interpretation of the term "nanomaterial" for legislative and policy purposes in the EU. The EC NM Definition includes a commitment to its review in the light of experience and of scientific and technological developments. This review is ongoing in 2017 and as a contribution to the review the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission (JRC) has already developed a series of three scientific-technical reports with the title: “Towards a review of the EC Recommendation for a definition of the term nanomaterial” which provides to the EC policy services sci-ence-based options on how the definition could be revised or supported with additional guidance.
The overarching nature and wide scope of the EC NM Definition, as it does not exclude a priori any particulate material regardless the state, form and size, creates many analytical challenges in its imple-mentation for all stakeholders, including enterprises and regulators.
The NanoDefine project has as core objective to support the implementation of the EC NM Definition. In an earlier report1 key aspects of the EC NM Definition were addressed, with the goal to improve the implementability of the EC NM Definition. Based on further developments and results obtained in NanoDefine project that first report was updated and is presented here. The key aspects are discussed based on the results of four years of research performed within the framework of the project. As a result this report assesses how well the requirements of the EC NM Definition can be fulfilled with currently available analytical possibilities. It presents recommendations and options on a revision of the EC NM Definition to improve the implementability of the definition based on currently available analytical possi-bilities, according to the state of the art in 2017. Of the technical issues considered in this report, the following seem to deserve the most attention in terms of clarification of the definition and/or provision of additional implementation guidance: 'external dimension', ‘number based particle size distribution‘, ‘polydispersity‘ and ‘upper size limit‘, the term ‘particle’, the ‘means to prove that a material is not a nanomaterial‘ and ‘the role of the volume specific sur-face area (VSSA)‘, and "particulate materials'.
Colloidal metalorganic frameworks as novel biofunctional nanoparticles for immunoassay applications
(2017)
Metal-organic framework (MOF) colloids have unique features that render them ideal signalling agents for realizing advanced immunoassay-based detection systems. MOFs are porous coordination polymers of metal nodes and organic linkers. The pore size of MOFs can be engineered and tailored to allow specific host (MOF) and guest (analyte) interactions. The particle sizes of the colloidal MOF can be tailored by employing methods from colloidal chemistry in wet synthesis. The adaption of established Layer-by-Layer polyelectrolyte coating protocols [1] allows equipping colloidal MOF particles with a nanometer thin polyelectrolyte membrane. This polyelectrolyte membrane serves as an interface for antibody binding. These biofunctional MOF nanoparticles have shown a strong immuno-binding that is sufficient for solid state immunoassays. Our current research addresses the design of luminescence encoded colloidal particle libraries by adjusting the ratios of e.g. Terbium (green) and Europium (red) metal nodes in mixed lanthanide based MOF-76. These mixed lanthanide MOF-76 particles are envisioned to allow multiplexed immuno-detection of endocrine disruptors such as bisphenol A.
In addition we investigate the detection of analytes that do not allow the production of antibodies due to their inherent properties. Such “difficult analytes” have a strong hydrophobicity or are very small or highly toxic molecules. One example is the common plasticizer dioctylphthalate that is also a potent endocrine disruptor. MOF colloids can address this issue by specific host (MOF) : guest (analyte) interactions that result in analyte-specific colour change or exciplex-based fluorescence emission. Our overall aim is to develop methodologies that allow parallel sensing of two endocrine disruptors (e.g. bisphenol A & phthalates) by simultaneous immuno-detection and MOF:analyte specific interactions.
The overall objective of project Improved traceability chain of nanoparticle size measurements is to improve the traceability chain for nanoparticle size measurements. The main impact will be achieved by manifold contributions to standard documents for CEN/TC 352 “Nanotechnologies”, which directly addresses the research needs of CEN, CENELEC and ETSI mandated by EC to develop standards for methods and reference materials to accurately measure the size and size distribution of nanoparticles. This will take place in collaboration with ISO/TC229 ‘Nanotechnologies’, ISO/TC24/SC4 ‘Particle characterization’ and ISO/TC201 ‘Surface analysis’/ SC9 ‘Scanning probe microscopy’.
Quantification of nanoparticle (NP) uptake in cells or tissues is very important for safety assessment. Often, electron microscopy based approaches are used for this purpose, which allow imaging at very high resolution. However, precise quantification of NP numbers in cells and tissues remains challenging. The aim of this study was to present a novel approach, that combines precise quantification of NPs in individual cells together with high resolution imaging of their intracellular distribution based on focused ion beam/ scanning electron microscopy (FIB/SEM) slice and view approaches.
The presentation goes into the characterization of TiO2 engineered nanoparticles within EU/FP7 SETNanoMetro Project and the nanomaterial classification according to the EC definition tested within EU/FP7 NanoDefine Project. Further, ISO/TC 229/JWG 2 activities related on ISO standards in development and inter-laboratory comparisons on measurement of nanoparticle size and shape distribution by SEM and TEM are discussed.
Influence of agglomeration and aggregation on the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 nanoparticles
(2017)
Particle aggregation and agglomeration influence the optical properties of materials and therefore theirability to absorb and scatter the incoming radiation, also affecting their photocatalytic activity. Wehave studied the correlation between aggregation and photocatalytic activity for titanium dioxide bymeans of experimental measurements of extinction and photocatalytic activity and calculations of theiroptical properties (extinction, absorption and scattering cross-sections). This approach can be adoptedto quantitatively assess the quantum yields of the heterogeneous photocatalytic systems. The study wasperformed on TiO2PC105 Cristal ACTiVTM, made of aggregated (and agglomerated) primary particles of anatase. The size of the aggregates has been reduced with ultra-sonication. Aqueous suspensions of the obtained materials were characterized by measuring the optical properties (UV–vis extinction), the sizing properties (DLS) and the photocatalytic activity (degradation of phenol under standard con-ditions). The extinction and absorption spectra of the suspensions were derived from the calculatedcoefficients, considering also the size distributions measured with DLS, and revealed that light absorptionis maximized when particle aggregation and agglomeration are avoided, while diffusion of the incomingradiation dominates when large aggregates and agglomerates are present. The present paper represents a valuable approach to the accurate and reproducible measurement of the photocatalytic activity ofTiO2nanoparticles suspensions, thus allowing a more reliable comparison of the properties of different materials.
The capability of currently available particle sizing techniques for reliable classification of materials that potentially fall under the EU Definition of a nanomaterial is discussed. A systematic quantitative evaluation of the sizing techniques is presented together with representative case studies of analysis of industrially relevant materials.
Recommendations on the most appropriate and efficient use of techniques for different types of material are given.
The large European nanometrology Project NanoDefine is presented briefly with respect to the challenges of measurement of particle size distribution for complex nanoparticulate materials.
The methods chosen for a tiered approach for the classification of a nanomaterial are discussed with regard to their peformance. Representative resuls on real life, complex shaped nanoparticulate materials are shown.
The recently initiated VAMAS inter-laboratory comparisons to determine the reproducibility necessary for international standardisation have been also presented.
The potential of electrospray deposition, for the controlled preparation of particles for imaging in electron microscopes, is evaluated on various materials: from mono-modal suspensions of spherical particles to multimodal suspensions and to real-world industrial materials. It is shown that agglomeration is reduced substantially on the sample carrier, compared with conventional sample preparation techniques. For the first time, it is possible to assess the number concentration of a tri-modal polystyrene suspension by electron microscopy, due to the high Deposition efficiency of the electrospray. We discovered that some suspension stabilizing surfactants form artifact particles during electrospraying. These can be avoided by optimizing the sprayed suspension.
Nanometer- and micrometer-sized particles are of increasing importance for a wide range of applications in the material and life sciences. This includes carriers for, e.g., drugs as well as dye molecules for use as multichromophoric reporters for signal enhancement in optical assays, platforms for DNA sequencing, and the fabrication of nanosensors and targeted probes for bioimaging studies.
Application-relevant properties of such particles include their size (and size distribution), shape, colloidal stability, biocompatibility, and ease of subsequent functionalization, e.g., with linkers, sensor molecules, and targeting ligands. The latter requires knowledge of the number of groups effectively accessible for subsequent coupling reactions and hence, selective and sensitive methods of analysis, which can be ideally employed for the characterization of a broad variety of particle systems independent of their optical properties, i.e., scattering or the presence of encoding dyes. For product control, robust, reliable and fast methods performable with inexpensive equipment are prefered.
In this respect, we studied a variety of conventional labels for optical readout, utilizing changes in intensity and/or color of absorption and/or emission. In addition, we developed a platform of cleavable and multimodal labels for optical assays which consist of a cleavable linker and an optically active reporter moiety. In contrast to conventional reporters measured directly at the particle surface, which are prone to signal distortions by scattering and encoding dyes, these cleavable labels can be detected colorimetrically or fluorometrically both bound at the particle surface and after quantitative cleavage of the linker in the transparent supernatant. Moreover, they enable straightforward validation by method comparison with elemental analysis, ICP-OES or ICP-MS.
Here, we present representative examples of newly synthesized cleavable labels and their application for the quantification of amino, thiol and carboxy surface groups on different nanomaterials and compare these results with measurements using conventional optical labels.
The excitation of localized surface plasmons in noble metal nanoparticles (NPs) results in different nanoscale effects such as electric field enhancement, the generation of hot electrons and a temperature increase close to the NP surface. These effects are typically exploited in diverse fields such as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), NP catalysis and photothermal therapy (PTT). Halogenated nucleobases are applied as radiosensitizers in conventional radiation cancer therapy due to their high reactivity towards secondary electrons. Here, we use SERS to study the transformation of 8-bromoadenine (8BrA) into adenine on the surface of Au and AgNPs upon irradiation with a low-power continuous wave laser at 532, 633 and 785 nm, respectively. The dissociation of 8BrA is ascribed to a hot-electron transfer reaction and the underlying kinetics are carefully explored. The reaction proceeds within seconds or even milliseconds. Similar dissociation reactions might also occur with other electrophilic molecules, which must be considered in the interpretation of respective SERS spectra. Furthermore, we suggest that hot-electron transfer induced dissociation of radiosensitizers such as 8BrA can be applied in the future in PTT to enhance the damage of tumor tissue upon irradiation.
The press conference on the results of the European Project FP7 constitutes a dissemination event dedicated to the production and characterization of "Shape-engineered TiO2 nanoparticles for metrology of functional properties: setting design rules from material synthesis to nanostructured devices" with the main large-scale applications in the three reference sectors: energy, health and environment.
The interaction of nanoparticles (NPs) with cells has become a major field of interest, ranging from therapeutic applications to nanotoxicology. The cellular uptake depends on the primary characteristics of the NPs (e.g. size, shape, surface modification) and on the cells interacting with the particles. Thereby the quantification of NPs in cells is of particular importance to obtain information under different experimental conditions. Presently, the number of NPs internalized is often determined by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) optical emission spectrometry (OES) or ICP mass spectrometry (MS) after acid digestion of a cell suspension or a cell pellet. The result is an average value and no information about the distribution among cells or within a cell is available. Therefore we developed a method based on laser ablation (LA) in combination with ICP-MS to localise and quantify metallic NPs in single cells.
LA-ICP-MS is a powerful analytical method which offers excellent sensitivity at high spatial resolution and multielement capability without time-consuming sample preparation steps. Recently, LA-ICP-MS was established for elemental mapping of biological samples like tissues.
In our experiments, fibroblast cells were incubated with gold or silver containing nanoparticles and grown on sterile coverslips under standard conditions. For LA analysis the cells were fixed with formaldehyde and dried. Subcellular resolution is achived by careful optimisation of laser energy, ablation frequency and scan speed. The elemental distribution was determined by continuous ablation line by line of cells incubated with NPs. Our results show that LA-ICP-MS is able to detect NP aggregates within cellular substructures. After 24 h of incubation the NPs were found in the cytosol, preferencially in the perinuclear region, but do not enter the nucleus. Additionally, a quantification strategy at single-cell level was developed. For this purpose nitrocellulose membrane was spiked with Ag or Au nanoparticle suspension at different concentration levels and analysed by LA-ICP-MS. Based on this calibration the number of NPs taken up by individual cells was determined and variations within the cell population become visible. The cells show a strong dependence of NP uptake on concentration and incubation time.
Our results demonstrate the potential of LA-ICP-MS providing insight into NP uptake and intracellular distribution dependent on experimental parameters.
A combined methodical approach is tested with respect to the characterization of the inner structure of porous TiO2 layers as typically used in modern dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC). Their performance is directly linked to the surface area of the pore network. The micrometer thick layer employed was manufactured by screen-printing of a starting TiO2 powder constituted of shape-controlled, bipyramidal anatase nanoparticles on FTO/glass substrates. The analytical methods exploited in our study are Focused Ion Beam (FIB) slicing followed by 3D reconstruction as well as the new approach transmission Kikuchi diffraction (TKD) technology in the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Size and shape distribution of the TiO2 NPs within the layer can be extracted. SEM in transmission mode and atomic force microscopy (AFM) have been used to verify the dimensional data obtained by the new combined methodical approach. Its analytical benefits but also the challenges and limitations are highlighted.
At the Final Outreach Event of the European FP7 NanoDefine project the results achieved during 4 years of intensive research and development work (2013-2017) with relevant stakeholders and wider community, and their practical implications and impact are presented and discussed. The newly developed particle-size related measurement tools and their practical suitability and applicability to classify materials, formulations and products according to the EC recommendation on the definition of a nanomaterial (2011/696/EU) are demonstrated.
Of many experimental techniques for measuring particle sizes and size distributions, electron microscopy (EM) is still considered as the gold standard, especially in the nano range (1–100 nm). Furthermore, high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) in conjunction with EM can be applied to individul NPs.
Preparation of an EM sample for generic particulate materials is a difficult task. Usually, the particles in a suspension are deposited on a support. However, this procedure includes the drying of larger solvent amounts on the substrate itself, and this can affect the spatial distribution of the deposited particles. One possibility to overcome this is the use of an electrospray system, where the suspension of particles is sprayed onto the substrate in charged droplets that are so small that they either dry off on the substrate immediately without affecting the position of particles, or even already during their flight time to the substrate. Additionally, the charging of particles minimizes agglomeration and aggregation, maximizing the collection of the EM grids.
The prototype of an electrospray deposition System was tested. Electrospray is theoretically described since a long time, but no dedicated commercial instruments are available for the preparation of TEM grids yet, apart from electrostatic deposition of aerosols.
Several materials have been sprayed onto TEM grids and the resulting particle distributions were evaluated. Operation parameters such as the sample flow-rate, capillary – substrate distance, electric field strength and sampling period length have been optimized. It was found that the particles deposited by electrospray generally show a much more homogeneous spatial distribution on the substrate and a substantial increase of the number of single particles (suited to automatic analysis).
The synthesis of TiO2 was studied in an original
hydrothermal process that uses triethanolamine titanium complex Ti(TeoaH)2 as a Ti precursor and triethanolamine (TeoaH3) as a shape controller to obtain bipyramidal anatase nanoparticles.
Backed-up by experimental evidence, i.e., time profiles for Ti(IV) species concentrations together with crystal shape and particle size distributions measured by dynamic light scattering and electron microscopy, a mathematical model was built. The model includes chemical reactions responsible for TiO2 generation in solution and the subsequent anatase nucleation and crystal growth. The oriented attachment mechanism was adopted to explain the build-up of crystals with equilibrium anatase structure (Wulff structure) and time-varying shape factor. This complex mathematical model was solved writing and validating an in-house
software using the Matlab (Natick, MA, USA) environment. The process was simulated for a batch time of 50 h, and the results, in terms of main species concentration and crystal size distributions, are in rather good agreement with the experimental measurements.
The synthesis of TiO2 nanoplatelets with fluorine-containing reactants is carried out using Ti (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.
Qualitative investigation of the bulk elemental composition by means of EDX of TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) has identified fluorine in case of the as-synthesized samples. EDX spectra of thermally treated products exhibit either a fluorine content close to the limit of detection. The latter holds also true for the reference sample, TiO2 NPs of bipyramidal shape and prepared by a different synthesis route. For differentiation whether fluorine is present in the bulk or at the surface of the TiO2 nanoplatelets, top-surface sensitive AES and ToF-SIMS has been applied. Secondary ions of fluorine are detected in ToF-SIMS spectra of all samples, but could be roughly quantified by measurement of same reference sample as for EDX, namely TiO2 nano-bipyramids. This revealed that the amount of fluorine within1 nm depth beneath the surface is reduced in the thermally treated specimen compared to the raw product down to a content about as low as in the reference sample. AES allows analyzing analysis of the first few nanometers from the top-surface of individual NPs by point analysis. An F KLL peak has been detected at the surface of samples of as-prepared TiO2 nanoplatelets under optimized measurement conditions, but was not detectable after their calcination, which is in agreement with ToF-SIMS results. Moreover, high resolution AES on single TiO2 nanoplatelets elucidated that the surface atomic layers surrounding the TiO2 nanopaltelet contain fluorides before thermal treatment of the NPs.
Self-assembly of TiO2 nanoparticles in multiple layers by layer-by-layer deposition has been selected of different deposition procedures usually applied for fabrication of TiO2 thin films with defined and homogeneous thickness on supports of interest for the large-scale applications. The substrates tested were: conductive (FTO) glass, silica glass and titanium alloy. The selected film fabrication technique consists of the deposition of alternating layers of oppositely charged, i.e. functionalized, TiO2 nanoparticle layers with wash steps in between. The controlled assembly of TiO2 nanoparticles on the supports surface requires both a proper functionalization of the supports to promote the adhesion of the TiO2 film to the substrates and proper functionalization of TiO2 nanoparticles to allow attachment to substrate and subsequent reaction between different NP layers. The current study focusses on the analytical control of the functionalization of the substrates with 3-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTS) and glutaraldehyde (GA) by means of surface sensitive methods, XPS, Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES) and ToF-SIMS. Chemical composition of surface of functionalized substrates shows differences in the degree and type of modification in dependence on substrate.
Evaluation of particle sizing techniques for implementation of the EC Definition of a nanomaterial
(2017)
Many techniques are available for measuring particle size distribution. For ideal materials (spherical particles, well dispersed) it is possible to evaluate the Performance of these methods. The performance of the analytical instrumentation for the purpose of classifying materials according to EC Definition is unknown. In this work the performance of commercially available particle sizing techniques on representative NanoDefine set of real-world testing materials (RTM) and quality control materials (QCM) for the implementation of the Definition is evaluated.
Electrospray ionization constitutes a promising deposition technique for high-resolution imaging. Particle distribution on TEM grids takes place homogeneously and no losses occur. Suspension must be appropriate (stabilizer may induce artefacts). ESI parameters need to be optimized for each material.
Volume specific surface area (VSSA) by BET: concept and demonstration on industrial materials
(2017)
Volume specific surface area (VSSA) as measured by BET constituites a simple and reliable solution to (most) powders. Porous, coated, polydisperse/multimodal materials are to be treated with care, i.e. doubled by analysis with electron microscopy or more advanced BET analysis (e.g. t-plot)for each material in part.
The potential of electrospray deposition, for the controlled preparation of particles for imaging in electron microscopes, is evaluated on various materials: from mono-modal suspensions of spherical particles to multimodal suspensions and to real-world industrial materials. It is shown that agglomeration is reduced substantially on the sample carrier, compared with conventional sample preparation techniques. For the first time, it is possible to assess the number concentration of a tri-modal polystyrene suspension by electron microscopy, due to the high deposition efficiency of the electrospray. We discovered that some suspension stabilizing surfactants form artifact particles during electrospraying. These can be avoided by optimizing the sprayed suspension.
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.
Detection of suspended nanoparticles with near-ambient pressure x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
(2017)
Two systems of suspended nanoparticles have been studied with near-ambient pressure x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy: silver nanoparticles in water and strontium fluoride—calcium fluoride core-shell nanoparticles in ethylene glycol. The corresponding dry samples were measured under ultra high vacuum for comparison. The results obtained under near-ambient pressure were overall comparable to those obtained under ultra high vacuum, although measuring silver nanoparticles in water requires a high pass energy and a long acquisition time. A shift towards higher binding energies was found for the silver nanoparticles in aqueous Suspension compared to the corresponding dry sample, which can be assigned to a change of surface potential at the water-nanoparticle interface. The shell-thickness of the core-shell nanoparticles was estimated based on simulated spectra from the National Institute of Standards and Technology database for simulation of electron spectra for surface analysis. With the instrumental set-up presented in this paper, nanoparticle suspensions in a suitable Container can be directly inserted into the analysis chamber and measured without prior sample preparation.
A combined methodical approach is tested for the first time with respect to the characterization of the inner structure of porous TiO2 layers infiltrated with ruthenium molecular sensitizer as typically used in modern dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC). Their performance is directly linked to the surface area ‘offered’ by the pore Network to the dye. The micrometer thick layer employed was manufactured by screen-printing of a starting TiO2 powder constituted of shape-controlled, bipyramidal anatase nanoparticles (NPs) on FTO/glass substrates. The
analytical methods exploited in our study are Focused Ion Beam (FIB) slicing followed by 3D reconstruction as well as the new approach transmission Kikuchi diffraction (TKD) technology in the scanning electron microscope (SEM). While the first method results in the visualization of the 3D pore network within the TiO2 layer, the second one can be successfully applied to analyze the crystal orientation of grains (i.e. NPs in our case) in nanometer resolution. Moreover, size and shape distribution of the TiO2 NPs within the layer can be extracted.
SEM in transmission mode and atomic force microscopy (AFM) have been used to verify the dimensional data obtained by the new combined methodical approach. Its analytical benefits but also the challenges and limitations
are highlighted.
The potential of electrospray deposition, for the controlled preparation of particles for imaging in electron microscopes, is evaluated on various materials: from mono-modal suspensions of spherical particles to multimodal suspensions and to real-world industrial materials. It is shown that agglomeration is reduced substantially on the sample carrier, compared with conventional sample preparation techniques. For the first time, it is possible to assess the number concentration of a tri-modal polystyrene suspension by electron microscopy, due to the high Deposition efficiency of the electrospray. We discovered that some suspension stabilizing surfactants form artifact particles during electrospraying. These can be avoided by optimizing the sprayed suspension.
Photophysical studies of nonlinear lanthanide-doped photon upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) increasingly used in biophotonics and photovoltaics require absolute measurements of the excitation power density (P)-dependent upconversion luminescence (UCL) and luminescence quantum yields (ΦUC) for quantifying the material performance, UCL deactivation pathways, and possible enhancement factors. We present here the P-dependence of the UCL spectra, ΦUC, and slope factors of the different emission bands of representative 25 nm-sized oleate-capped β-NaYF4:17% Yb3+, 3% Er3+ UCNPs dispersed in toluene and as powder as well as ΦUC of 3 μm-sized upconversion particles (UCμP), all measured with a newly designed integrating sphere setup, enabling controlled variation of P over four orders of magnitude. This includes quantifying the influence of the beam shape on the measured ΦUC and comparison of experimental ΦUC with simulations utilizing the balancing power density model of the Andersson-Engels group and the simulated ΦUC of UCμP from the Berry group, underpinned by closely matching decay kinetics of our UC material. We obtained a maximum ΦUC of 10.5% for UCμP and a ΦUC of 0.6% and 2.1% for solid and dispersed UCNPs, respectively. Our results suggest an overestimation of the contribution of the purple and an underestimation of that of the red emission of β-NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+: microparticles by the simulations of the Berry group. Moreover, our measurements can be used as a guideline to the absolute determination of UCL and ΦUC
Gold nanostructures that serve as probes for nanospectroscopic analysis of eukaryotic cell cultures can be obtained by the in situ reduction of tetrachloroauric acid (HAuCl4). To understand the formation process of such intracellularly grown particles depending on the incubation medium, the reaction was carried out with 3T3 fibroblast cells in three different incubation media, phosphate buffer, Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM), and standard cell culture medium (DMEM with fetal calf serum). The size, the optical properties, the biomolecular corona, and the localization of the gold nanoparticles formed in situ vary for the different conditions. The combination of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) microscopic mapping and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) provides complementary perspectives on plasmonic nanoparticles and non-plasmonic gold compounds inside the cells. While for the incubation with HAuCl4 in PBS, gold particles provide optical signals from the nucleus, the incubation in standard cell culture medium leads to scavenging of the toxic molecules and the formation of spots of high gold concentration in the cytoplasm without formation of SERS-active particles inside the cells. The biomolecular corona of nanoparticles formed in situ after incubation in buffer and DMEM differs, suggesting that different intracellular molecular species serve for reduction and stabilization. Comparison with data obtained from ready-made gold nanoparticles suggests complementary application of in situ and ex situ generated nanostructures for optical probing.
Loss in efficiency of perovskite solar cells may be caused by structural and/or chemical alterations of the complex layered system. As these changes might take place either in the bulk and/or on the surface of the stratified material, analytical tools addressing both key issues are selected and combined. 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. The TiO2 film is subdivided into a dense layer covered by a porous one constituted of nanoparticles with a truncated bipyramidal shape. 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. In a SEM micrograph taken of the cross-section of a sample after illumination, the glass substrate and all layers FTO, TiO2, ZrO2 as well as C are clearly identified. 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.
A combined methodical approach is tested with respect to the characterization of the inner structure of porous TiO2 layers as typically used in modern dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC). Their performance is directly linked to the surface area of the pore network. The micrometer thick layer employed was manufactured by screen-printing of a starting TiO2 powder constituted of shape-controlled, bipyramidal anatase nanoparticles on FTO/glass substrates. The analytical methods exploited in our study are Focused Ion Beam (FIB) slicing followed by 3D reconstruction as well as the new approach transmission Kikuchi diffraction (TKD) technology in the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Size and shape distribution of the TiO2 NPs within the layer can be extracted. SEM in transmission mode and atomic force microscopy (AFM) have been used to verify the dimensional data obtained by the new combined methodical approach. Its analytical benefits but also the challenges and limitations are highlighted.
Organic surface modification and analysis of TiO2 nanoparticles for self-assembly in multiple layers
(2017)
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.
Elemental imaging of biological samples using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) provides spatially resolved information on element distribution in thin sections. By rastering with a laser across the sample, a two-dimensional image of the elemental distribution can be reconstructed that shows the intensities of the respective elements. Using overlapping laser shots the area ablated from single cells or thin sections (thickness 5 to 10 µm) can be reduced significantly so that the pixel size of the intensity measurement is significantly reduced. Having in mind that a laser shot ablates thin biological samples completely, we can make use of a new concept for calibration in the laser ablation method: the concept of total consumption. This calibration strategy allows production of simple matrix matched standards and provides an internal standardisation by ink jet technology, where a metal containing inks is printed on as thin layer on top of a biological sample.
Different applications will be presented where our concepts have been applied. In the first example we used nanoparticle suspension of given particle numbers to quantify the uptake of metallic nanoparticles by biological cells. In the second example antibodies have been tagged by metals to measure protein expression in prostata cancer. In this approach application of house keeping proteins are investigated additionally to compensate variations in thickness and density of the biopsy samples. In the third application different nephrotoxic behaviour of Pt containing drugs have been investigated to study the local enrichement in kidney samples of mice treated with these three different compounds. Here the internal standard is required to allow intercomparisons between different individual mouse tissues.
At the end of the lecture future trends will be discussed for elemental microscopy.
We are using laser ablation (LA)-ICP-MS to image the local distribution of elements (metals and hetero-elements) directly or (metallo-)proteins by metal-tagged antibodies in cells and tissue indirectly. Different applications will be discussed to demonstrate the state of the art and to visualize the elemental distribution pattern in soft bio-materials (tissue, single cells). In the first application Pt-containing drugs for cancer treatment are investigated and elemental distribution pattern are shown for tissue samples from animal experiments. Different standardization and quantification schemes including isotope dilution analysis will be discussed. In the second application, which is dedicated to toxicological research, the up-take of nano-particles by single cells are discussed and metal containing stains are used to visualize the distribution of nano-particles, proteins and DNA in a single cell simultaneously. This information is correlated with the distribution of the nanoparticles to identify the cell compartments where nano-particles are enriched. Quantification schemes have been developed to transform the measured intensities into number of particles up taken by the cells. In the third and last application LA-ICP-MS is applied to visualize the local distribution of proteins, which are used as bio-markers for prostate cancer. For this purpose, biopsy samples from patients have been simultaneously stained by eight differently metal-tagged antibodies in a multiplex approach. Detection of house-keeping proteins serves as internal standards to overcome differences in protein expression. Additionally ink-jet printing of metal doped inks onto the surface of these tissue samples has been applied for internal standardization and drift corrections.
Finally future trends to develop an “elemental microscope” will be discussed.
Among the different tested endpoints, Al- and Ticontaining nanomaterials did notshowany toxicity in intestinal cell lines in vitro. Nevertheless, this absence of effect was not due to an absence of exposure, since particle-specific uptake was reported.
Metal particle uptake over a long time period might therefore be relevant for risk assessment of aluminum- and titanium-containing food products.
An overview about different analytical approaches will be presented of how to detect metals in individual biological cells by use of ICP-MS. For this purpose, we are using different sample introduction systems for ICP-MS for detection, imaging and quantification of metals at cellular levels.
By use of laser ablation, we have studied the up-take by and distribution of nanoparticles in single cells. Recently we have developed staining techniques to measure protein and DNA content of cells and identifying the cell status by immunoassays using metal-tagging of antibodies. New research based on cell arrays will be shortly discussed.
Using pneumatic nebulization and microdroplet generation, we have also studied the up-take of nanoparticles and toxic metals as well as essential elements in single cells using different ICP-MS mass spectrometric concepts (sector field instrument, triple-quad instrument, time of flight (CyTOF) instrument).
The different ICP-MS based methods will be compared concerning their analytical figures of merit and their strengths and weaknesses will be evaluated.
Investigation and control of protein adsorption for fluorescent nanosilver reference material
(2017)
Upon interaction of nanomaterials like noble metal nanoparticles (NPs) with biological systems like body fluids such as serum, a protein corona is formed.[1] This reversibly bound layer of proteins controls the transport of the NPs and their subsequent interaction with biological components.[2] The plasmonic properties of nobel metal NPs like Au and Ag can considerably affect the fluorescence properties of fluorophores in their vicinity, i.e., within a near field distance. Depending on the chemical composition, size and shape of these noble metal NPs, the spectral properties of the dye, and the particle-fluorophore distance, the fluorescence is quenched or in some cases enhanced.[3,4,5] This can be monitored by fluorescence intensity and lifetime measurements, with the latter effect being accompanied by an increase in fluorescence intensity and reduction in fluorescence lifetime due to an increase in radaiative rate constant. We utilized these effects to study and manipulate noble metal NP-protein interaction exemplarily for fluorophore-labeled bovine serum albumin (BSA) modified e.g. by succinylation, amination and the introduction of thiol groups, resulting in different binding affinities of the proteins.[6] Our results show that the fluorescent corona allows monitoring of the interaction of our accordingly protein-functionalized particles with biological model systems like solutions containing different amounts of various proteins. This can be eventually used for further in vitro and in vivo studies to assess the uptake, digestion, and excretion of surface functionalized noble metal NPs.
Sol-gel synthesis was used to prepare nanoparticles of MgF2 and CaF2. These nanoparticles were tested for their application in wood protection. In comparison to control samples, wood specimens treated with MgF2 and CaF2 showed lower mass loss under exposure to termites and fungi. Samples treated with MgF2 performed better at protecting wood from cellulose degradation when exposed to termites. Conversely, in the presence of fungi, mass loss in treated samples was similar irrespective of the chemical composition (MgF2 and CaF2) of the treatment. A possible explanation for this difference in results between termites and fungi could be their different mechanism of cellulose hydrolysis. Thus, future wood preservatives would need to be customized according to their specific application.
Alkaline earth metal fluoride nanoparticles have been investigated for application in wood protection. Sols of MgF2 and CaF2 were synthesized and their efficacy was tested against fungi and termites (Rehmer 2016, Krahl et al. 2016). The sols were characterized by XRD and SEM. The wood specimens were vacuum impregnated with nanoparticles and then exposed to fungi and termites according to EU certified test conditions. Our results show that wood impregnated with metal fluoride nanoparticles significantly reduce cellulose hydrolysis by fungi and termites. The wood samples were exposed to brown-rot fungi; Coniophora puteana and Poria placenta. Between the two fungi, the overall mass lost due to fungal degradation was lower for treated (MgF2 and CaF2) wood samples exposed to Coniophora puteana. Thus, the metal fluoride nanoparticles impregnated in the wood samples were more efficient in reducing cellulose degradation from Coniophora puteana than from Poria placenta. However the mass loss in samples treated with MgF2 was similar to those treated with CaF2, irrespective of type of fungi. Therefore, it is likely that fungal degradation in treated samples was dependent on the biocidal action of fluorides rather than on the differences in chemical and physical properties of MgF2 and CaF2, respectively. Conversely, for termite exposure, wood samples treated with MgF2 had lower cellulose degradation compared to those treated with CaF2. A possible explanation for this difference in results could be fungi and termites use separate mechanisms for cellulose hydrolysis which will be further investigated. Future experiments include testing the leaching potential of MgF2 and CaF2 nanoparticles from wood. The results from the leaching experiment will test if metal fluoride nanoparticles can provide long-term and environmentally safe protection to wood.
PTFE/PS core-shell-nanoparticles were characterised by STXM, T-SEM, and ToF-SIMS. Shell-thicknesses were calculated and compared. Preliminary results from ToF-SIMS showed the capabilities of this method.
The analysis of nanomaterials is current an important task - especially in case of risk assessment, as the properties of these material class are not well understood currently. The rather high surface area of these objects renders their interactions significantly different to their corresponding bulk. Thus, the surfaces chemical composition has to be investigated to get a better understanding and prediction of the nanomaterials' behavior. ToF-SIMS has proven as a powerful tool to determine said chemical composition. Its superior surface sensitivity allows us to study mainly the utmost atomic layer and therefore gives us an idea of the interactions involved. Here, we show first result from the validation of the method for the analysis of polystyrene and gold nanoparticles. ToF-SIMS will be compared to other methods like XPS, T-SEM or REM. Furthermore, principle component analysis (PCA) will be used to detect the influence of different sample preparation performed by an innovative microfluidic device. ToF-SIMS imaging is desired to be implemented for single particle detection as well.
Controlled deposition of nanoparticles by electrospray for improved analysis by imaging techniques
(2018)
Of many experimental techniques for measuring particle sizes and size distributions, electron microscopy (EM) is still considered as the gold standard, especially in the nano range (1–100 nm).
Furthermore, high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) in conjunction with EM can be applied to individual NPs. Preparation of an EM sample for generic particulate materials is a difficult task. Usually the particles in a suspension are deposited on a support. However, this procedure includes the drying of larger solvent amounts on the substrate itself, and this can affect the spatial distribution of the deposited particles. One possibility to overcome this is the use of an electrospray system, where the suspension of particles is sprayed onto the substrate in charged droplets that are so small that they either dry off on the substrate immediately without affecting the position of particles, or even already during their flight time to the substrate. Additionally, the charging of particles minimizes agglomeration and aggregation, maximizing the collection of the EM grids. The prototype of an electrospray deposition system from RAMEM under its trademark IONER (www.ioner.eu) was tested. Electrospray is theoretically described since a long time, but no dedicated commercial instruments are available for the preparation of TEM grids yet, apart from electrostatic deposition of aerosols.2 Several materials have been sprayed onto TEM grids and the resulting particle distributions were evaluated. Operation parameters such as the sample flow-rate, capillary – substrate distance, electric field strength and sampling period length have been optimized. It was found that the particles deposited by electrospray generally show a much more homogeneous spatial distribution on the substrate and a substantial increase of the number of single particles (suited to automatic analysis).
The EC Recommendation on the definition of nanomaterial1, based solely on size of the constituent particles, foresees development of harmonised measurement methods ensuring ‘consistent results across materials and over time’. The EU/FP7 large research project NanoDefine (http://www.nanodefine.eu) has been exclusively dedicated to support the implementation of this EC Recommendation for the European Union’s legislation. For the first time, measurement techniques able to determine the size of nanoparticles have been evaluated systematically on a well-defined set of quality control materials (spherical, monodisperse) as well as industrial materials of complex shapes and considerable polydispersity. Particularly based on the analytical performance of the measurement techniques as tested on the challenging real-world particulate materials, it was possible to formulate recommendations for use of a new tiered approach consisting of screening and confirmatory techniques. Thus, a consistent framework of guidance for nanomaterial identification according to the EC Definition has been issued in form of the NanoDefiner e-tool (https://labs.inf.fh-dortmund.de/NanoDefiner), with a transparent decision flow scheme and an extensive user manual. Selected examples of analysis and classification as nano-/non-nanomaterials will be given, highlighting the limits of applicability of the available measurement techniques in dependence on sample properties. On some recent relevant developments in sample preparation – as a crucial part for an accurate analysis - will be also reported.
Controlled electrospray deposition of nanoparticles for improved analysis by electron microscopy
(2018)
Of many experimental techniques for measuring particle sizes and size distributions, electron microscopy (EM) is considered as the gold standard, especially in the nano range (1–100 nm). Furthermore, high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) in conjunction with EM can be applied to individual NPs. Preparation of an EM sample for generic particulate materials is a difficult task. Usually, the particles in a suspension are deposited on a support. However, this procedure includes the drying of larger solvent amounts on the substrate itself, and this can affect the spatial distribution of the deposited particles. One possibility to overcome this is the use of an electrospray system, where the suspension of particles is sprayed onto the substrate in charged droplets that are so small that they either dry off on the substrate immediately without affecting the position of particles, or even already during their flight time to the substrate. Additionally, the charging of particles minimizes agglomeration and aggregation, maximizing the collection of the EM grids. The prototype of an electrospray deposition system from RAMEM under its trademark IONER (www.ioner.eu) was tested.
Electrospray is theoretically described since a long time, but no dedicated commercial instruments are available for the preparation of TEM grids yet, apart from electrostatic deposition of aerosols. Several materials have been sprayed onto TEM grids and the resulting particle distributions were evaluated. Operation parameters such as the sample flow-rate, capillary – substrate distance, electric field strength and sampling period length have been optimized. It was found that the particles deposited by electrospray generally show a much more homogeneous spatial distribution on the substrate and a substantial increase of the number of single particles (suited to automatic analysis).
The project has received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement No 604347.
Coming as response to the needs expressed by The European Commission mandating CEN, CENELEC and ETSI to develop European standards for methods that can characterize reliably manufactured nanomaterials, a new European metrology research project ‘nPSize - Improved traceability chain of nanoparticle size measurements’ has received funding for the next three years. The project will develop methods, reference materials and modelling to improve the traceability chain, comparability and compatibility for nanoparticle size measurements to support standardization.
nPSize has selected only those nanoparticle sizing techniques which are able to provide traceable results: electron microscopy (SEM, TSEM and TEM), AFM and SAXS. Metrologists from national metrological or designated institutes (PTB, LNE, LGC, VSL, SMD and BAM) will work together with scientists with know-how in development of new nano reference nanoparticles (CEA, University of Turin, LGC, BAM) and with experts in advanced data processing, e.g. by machine learning (POLLEN). With the support of DIN, the project outcomes will be channelized to standardization bodies such as ISO/TC 229 ‘Nanotechnologies’/JWG 2 ‘Nanoparticle Measurement and Characterization’ (SEM, TSEM and TEM), CEN/TC 352 ‘Nanotechnologies’ (SEM, TSEM and TEM), ISO/TC 201/SC 9 (AFM), ISO/TC 24/SC 4 (SAXS).
Three technical work packages will ensure input for impact to standardization community, nanoparticle manufacturers, instrument manufacturers, and (accredited) service laboratories:
- WP1 Performance and traceability of characterization methods
- WP2 Reference materials - Preparation and Characterization
- WP3 Modelling and development of measurement procedures
Well-defined non-spherical nanoparticles shapes such as cubes, platelets, bipyramids, rods/acicular will be developed, with mono- and polydisperse size distribution, as well as with accurate particle number concentration (by SAXS and isotopically enrichment for ICP-MS).
Physical modelling of the signal for TSEM, SEM, 3D-AFM and SAXS will be used to feed machine learning modeling from a-priori measurement data. Further, data fusion will be developed for hybrid sizing techniques: SEM with TSEM/TEM, SEM/TSEM with AFM, SEM/TSEM with SAXS with the final aim of improving the true shape and size of non-spherical nanoparticles by a better estimation of the measurement uncertainties.
In the second half-time of the project dedicated workshops (focused on method improvement and reference materials development) will be organized to disseminate the gained knowledge to end-users. Further, a data library with relevant tagged measurement data is planned to be organized and made publicly available. Inter-laboratory comparisons based on the newly developed multi-modal nano reference materials will be organized preferably within VAMAS/TWA 34 ‘Nanoparticle populations’.
Extraction of true, 3D shape (and size) of non-spherical nanoparticles (NPs) is associated with errors by conventional 2D electron microscopy using projection images. Significant efforts within the ISO technical committee TC 229 ‘Nanotechnologies’ are aimed at establishing accurate TEM and SEM measurement of NP size and shape as robust, standard procedures. Study groups have been organizing inter-laboratory comparisons on well-selected NP systems according to the market needs, such as aggregated titania nano-powder for which size and shape distribution of primary crystallites of irregular shape must be measured accurately. To be noticed is e. g. the fact that the measurement procedure allows only manual selection of the particles clearly distinguishable for analysis as well as manual definition of the contour of the imaged NPs.
An inter-laboratory exercise on titania NPs (pure anatase, grown by hydrothermal synthesis) of well-defined non-spherical shape, i.e. bipyramidal has been recently started within ISO/TC 229 under similar conditions as for the irregular shaped titania. Overlapped particles were allowed to be considered, as long as they are clearly distinguishable. One decisive NP selection criterion was to analyze only those NPs with a roundness value below 0.7, i.e. the NPs laying on the support foil and, hence, with projection areas clearly deviating from perfect circles (R=1). The overall evaluation (for 15 labs) of the size descriptors (area, Feret, minFeret, perimeter) and shape descriptors (aspect ratio, roundness, compactness, extent) by analysis of variance is just to be finished and included in ISO/WD 21363 Nanotechnologies -- Protocol for particle size distribution by transmission electron microscopy.
The EC Recommendation on the definition of nanomaterial, based solely on size of the constituent particles, foresees development of harmonised measurement methods ensuring ‘consistent results across materials and over time’. The EU/FP7 research project NanoDefine has been exclusively dedicated to support the implementation of this EC Recommendation for the European Union’s legislation. For the first time, measurement techniques able to determine the size of nanoparticles have been evaluated systematically on a well-defined set of quality control materials (spherical, monodisperse) as well as industrial materials of complex shapes and considerable polydispersity.
Particularly based on the analytical performance of the measurement techniques as tested on the challenging real-world particulate materials, it was possible to formulate recommendations for use of a new tiered approach consisting of screening and confirmatory techniques. Thus, a consistent framework of guidance for nanomaterial identification according to the EC Definition has been issued in form of the NanoDefiner e-tool, with a transparent decision flow scheme and an extensive user manual. Selected examples of analysis and classification as nano-/non-nanomaterials will be given, highlighting the limits of applicability of the available measurement techniques in dependence on sample properties. On some recent relevant developments in sample preparation – as a crucial part for an accurate analysis - will be also reported. Further, ISO/TC 229 ‘Nanotechnologies’ activities aiming at establishing accurate TEM and SEM measurement of NP size and shape as robust, traceable, standard procedures are highlighted. With participation of BAM, study groups have been organizing inter-laboratory comparisons on well-selected NP systems according to the market needs, such as aggregated or shape-controlled titania nano-powder for which size and shape distribution of primary particles must be measured accurately.
Many techniques are available for measuring particle size distribution. For ideal materials (spherical particles, well dispersed) it is possible to evaluate the Performance of These methods. The performance of the analytical instrumentation for the purpose of classifying materials according to EC Definition is unknown. In this work the performance of commercially available particle sizing techniques on representative NanoDefine set of real-world testing materials (RTM) and quality control materials (QCM) for the implementation of the Definition is evaluated.
The overall objective of project Improved traceability chain of nanoparticle size measurements is to improve the traceability chain for nanoparticle size measurements. The main impact will be achieved by manifold contributions to standard documents for CEN/TC 352 “Nanotechnologies”, which directly addresses the research needs of CEN, CENELEC and ETSI mandated by EC to develop standards for methods and reference materials to accurately measure the size and size distribution of nanoparticles. This will take place in collaboration with ISO/TC229 ‘Nanotechnologies’, ISO/TC24/SC4 ‘Particle characterization’ and ISO/TC201 ‘Surface analysis’/ SC9 ‘Scanning probe microscopy’.
The analysis of nanomaterials is currently an important task - especially in case of risk assessment – as the properties of these material class are not well understood. The rather high surface area of these objects renders their interactions significantly different to their corresponding bulk. Thus, the surface’s chemical composition must be investigated to get a better understanding and prediction of the nanomaterials’ behavior. ToF-SIMS and XPS have proven to be powerful tools to determine the general chemical composition. The superior surface sensitivity of ToF-SIMS furthermore allows us to study mainly the utmost atomic layer and thus gives us an idea of the interactions involved. Here, we present initial data on the analysis of Hyflon®-polystyrene core-shell nanoparticles which can be used as a model system due to the known preparation and a rather good chemical as well as physical separation of core and shell. Furthermore, principle component analysis (PCA) will be used to detect the influence of sample preparation and for a better separation of different samples. ToF-SIMS imaging is desired to be implemented for single particle detection as well.
We discuss the role of the volume specific surface area (VSSA) as determined from the specific surface area measured by the (extended) Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) technique, in the identification process of powdered nano- and non-nanomaterials in line with the EU definition of nanomaterial. Results obtained in the NanoDefine project demonstrate that under appropriate conditions, VSSA can be used as proxy to the number-based particle size distribution. The extent of agreement between nano/non-nano classification by electron microscopy (EM) and classification by VSSA is investigated systematically on a large set of diverse particulate substances, representing most of the cases expected in regulatory practice. Thus, parameters such as particle shape, size polydispersity/multi-modality, and particle (inner or coating) porosity are evaluated. Based on these results, we derive a tiered screening strategy for powders, involving the use of VSSA for the purpose of implementing the definition of nanomaterial, and recommend it for inclusion in a technical guidance for the implementation of the definition.
Many applications of nanomaterials in the life sciences require the controlled functionalization of these materials with ligands like polyethylene glycol (PEG) and/or biomolecules such as peptides, proteins, and DNA. This enables to tune their hydrophilicity and biocompatibility, minimize unspecific interactions, improve biofunctionalization efficiencies, and enhance blood circulation times. Moreover, it is the ultimate prerequisite for their use as reporters in assays or the design of targeted optial probes for bioimaging. At the core of these functionalization strategies are reliable and validated methods for surface group and ligand quantification that can be preferably performed with routine laboratory instrumentation, require only small amounts of substances, and are suitable for many different types of nanomaterials.
We present here versatile and simple concepts for the quantification of common functional groups, ligands, and biomolecules on different types of organic and inorganic nano-materials, using different types of optical reporters and method validation with the aid of multimodal reporters, method comparisons, and mass balances.
Carboxy, amino, and thiol groups play a critical role in a variety of physiological and biological processes and are frequently used for bioconjugation reactions. Moreover, they enable size control and tuning of the surface during the synthesis of particle systems. Especially, thiols have a high binding affinity to noble metals and semiconductors (SC). Thus, simple, inexpensive, robust, and fast methods for the quantification of surface groups and the monitoring of reactions involving ligands are of considerable importance for the characterization of modified or stabilized nanomaterials including polymers.
We studied the potential of the Ellman’s assay, recently used for the quantification of thiol ligands on SC nanocrystals by us1 and the 4-aldrithiol assay for the determination of thiol groups in molecular systems and on polymeric, noble and SC nanomaterials. The results were validated with ICP-OES and reaction mechanisms of both methods were studied photometrically and with ESI-TOF-MS.
The investigation of the reaction mechanisms of both methods revealed the influence of different thiols on the stoichiometry of the reactions2, yielding different mixed disulfides and the thiol-specific products spectroscopically detected. The used methods can quantify freely accessible surface groups on nanoparticles, e.g., modified polystyrene nanoparticles. For thiol ligands coordinatively bound to surface atoms of, e.g., noble or SC nanomaterials, depending on the strength of the thiol-surface bonds, particle dissolution prior to assay performance can be necessary.
We could demonstrate the reliability of the Ellman’s and aldrithiol assay for the quantification of surface groups on nanomaterials by ICP-OES and derived assay-specific requirements and limitations. Generally, it is strongly recommended to carefully control assay performance for new samples, components, and sample ingredients to timely identify possible interferences distorting quantification.
Polymer nanoparticles (NPs) are of increasing importance for a wide range of applications in the material and life sciences. This includes their application as carriers for e.g., analyte-responsive ligands for DNA sequencing platforms, drugs as well as dye molecules for use as multichromophoric reporters for signal enhancement in optical assays or the fabrication of nanosensors and targeted probes in bioimaging studies. All these applications require surface functionalization of the particles with e.g., ligands, sensor dyes, or analyte recognition moieties like biomolecules, and subsequently, the knowledge of the chemical nature and total number of surface groups as well as the number of groups accessible for coupling reactions. Particularly attractive for the latter are optically active reporters together with sensitive and fast optical assays, which can be read out with simple, inexpensive instrumentation.
We assessed a variety of conventional and newly developed colorimetric and fluorometric labels for optical surface group analysis, utilizing e.g., changes in intensity and/or color for signal generation. Moreover, novel cleavable and multimodal reporters were developed which consist of a reactive group, a cleavable linker, and an optically active moiety, chosen to contain also heteroatoms for straightforward method validation by elemental analysis, ICP-OES, ICP-MS or NMR. In contrast to conventional labels measured bound at the particle surface, which can favor signal distortions by scattering and encoding dyes, cleavable reporters can be detected colorimetrically or fluorometrically both attached at the particle surface and after quantitative cleavage of the linker in the transparent supernatant after particle removal e.g., by centrifugation. Here, we present first results obtained for the optical quantification of carboxylic and amino groups on a series of self-made polystyrene NPs with different types of labels and compare their potential and drawbacks for surface group analysis.
Many applications of nanomaterials in the life sciences require the controlled functionalization of these materials with ligands like polyethylene glycol (PEG) and/or biomolecules such as peptides, proteins, and DNA. This enables to tune their hydrophilicity and biocompatibility, minimize unspecific interactions, improve biofunctionalization efficiencies, and enhance blood circulation times. Moreover, it is the ultimate prerequisite for their use as reporters in assays or the design of targeted optial probes for bioimaging. At the core of these functionalization strategies are reliable and validated methods for surface group and ligand quantification that can be preferably performed with routine laboratory instrumentation, require only small amounts of substances, and are suitable for many different types of nanomaterials.
We present here versatile and simple concepts for the quantification of common functional groups, ligands, and biomolecules on different types of organic and inorganic nano-materials, using different types of optical reporters and method validation with the aid of multimodal reporters, method comparisons, and mass balances.
Extraction of true, 3D shape (and size) of non-spherical nanoparticles (NPs) is associated with errors by conventional 2D electron microscopy using projection images. Significant efforts within the ISO technical committee TC 229 ‘Nanotechnologies’ are aimed at establishing accurate TEM and SEM measurement of NP size and shape as robust, standard procedures. Study groups have been organizing inter-laboratory comparisons on well-selected NP systems according to the market needs, such as aggregated titania nano-powder for which size and shape distribution of primary crystallites of irregular shape must be measured accurately. To be noticed is e. g. the fact that the measurement procedure allows only manual selection of the particles clearly distinguishable for analysis as well as manual definition of the contour of the imaged NPs.
An inter-laboratory exercise on titania NPs (pure anatase, grown by hydrothermal synthesis) of well-defined non-spherical shape, i.e. bipyramidal has been recently started within ISO/TC 229 under similar conditions as for the irregular shaped titania. Overlapped particles were allowed to be considered, as long as they are clearly distinguishable. One decisive NP selection criterion was to analyze only those NPs with a roundness value below 0.7, i.e. the NPs laying on the support foil and, hence, with projection areas clearly deviating from perfect circles (R=1). The overall evaluation (for 15 labs) of the size descriptors (area, Feret, minFeret, perimeter) and shape descriptors (aspect ratio, roundness, compactness, extent) by analysis of variance is just to be finished and included in ISO/WD 21363 Nanotechnologies -- Protocol for particle size distribution by transmission electron microscopy.
Titanium dioxide is one of the most studied metal oxides due to its chemical, surface, electronic and (photo)catalytic properties, providing this material of multisectorial applications ranging from healthcare, photocatalysis, smart materials with self cleaning and self sterilizing properties and solar energy harvesting. However it is difficult to correlate the functional properties of TiO2 nanomaterials to the properties at single nanoparticle level due to the high polydispersity in shape, size and surface features of the currently available TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs). Although intensive experimental and theoretical studies have been conducted on the reactivity of different surfaces of metal oxides such as TiO2 much less attention is paid on the dependence of functional properties, like photocatalytic activity, dye adsorption, open circuit potential and fill factor in dye sensitized solar cells, on crystal facets in different orientations. One of the goal of SETNanoMetro project was the development of design rules to tune crystal facets of TiO2 NPs in order to optimize and control functional properties. In the present work we have developed a series of design rules in order to obtain sets of anatase TiO2 NPs with low polydispersity and to tune their shape and size by hydrothermal processing of Ti(IV)-Triethanolamine complex in presence of different shape controllers. Through a careful experimental design, a predictive soft model was developed. The model is able to predict the synthesis outcome allowing to tune the shape factor from 5 (prisms) to 1.5 (bipyramids) to 0.2 (platelets). This allows to control the main crystal facets exposed ranging from (100) to (001). Due to the dependence of functional properties of nanomaterials on shape distribution and not only size, the availability of NPs sets with uniform and well defined and tunable shapes can be of paramount relevance in order to produce reference nanomaterials for shape measurement.
Near-ambient pressure XPS makes it possible to characterise samples not compatible to ultra-high vacuum, and enables the study of liquid-solid, gas-liquid and gas-solid interfaces. NAP-XPS meas-urements of biofilms, suspended nanoparticles and metal-organic frameworks were performed with EnviroESCA developed by SPECS.
An interesting application is surface characterisation of biofilms, which are bacterial communities embedded in a self-produced polysaccharide matrix. Various model systems ranging from pure polysaccharides of alginate to biofilms harvested directly from the growth medium have been char-acterised in humid conditions[1].
NAP-XPS also makes it possible to characterise nanoparticles in solution. Silver nanoparticles in aqueous solution were characterised and the Ag 3d-spectrum compared to spectra obtained of dried nanoparticles in UHV-conditions[2]. The binding energy of the Ag 3d-core level peak was shifted by 0,6 eV towards higher binding energy for suspended nanoparticles compared to the dried sample measured in UHV. This can be assigned to a change in surface potential at the water-nanoparticle interface.
Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are suitable materials for gas storage of small molecules due to their nanoporous, crystalline structure. However, instability in humidity remains an issue for many types of MOFs. XPS-measurements of the MOF-structure HKUST-1 were performed in various NAP-conditions to assess the stability of the sample and its interaction with the gas molecules as water, methanol and pyridine.
Many current nanomaterials can serve as contrast agents in cellular or tissue imaging, drug delivery vehicles or therapeutics, whereas others can cause toxic effects. In order to evaluate nano-bio interactions, the number of nanoparticles (NPs) inside cells as well as their localisation within cellular substructures is of particular interest. The cellular uptake depends on the primary characteristics of the NPs (e.g. size, shape, surface coating) and on the cell type.
Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA‑ICP‑MS) is more and more used to study the NP pathway from uptake, via intracellular processing up to cell division. High-spatial resolution laser ablation at single cell level is achieved using novel low-dispersion LA chambers and by careful optimisation of laser energy, ablation frequency and scan speed at small laser spot sizes down to 1 µm. Different examples from BAM, Division 1.1 and cooperation partners using LA-ICP-MS to localize and quantify metal-containing nanoparticles are shown. The results demonstrate the potential of LA-ICP-MS providing insight into NP uptake, intracellular distribution and cell-to-cell variation.
Glycosylation is a post-translational modification that is involved in the regulation of many biological processes. The glycosylation pattern in cancer cells differs from that in normal cells. One of the main alterations that has been observed in several cancers is the increase of sialic acids at the end of the glycan. The increase of sialic acids and other alterations affect development and progression of tumors and are found to play an important role in cancer invasiveness and metastasis. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are synthetic recognition elements that show high selectivity and affinity for their targets. These polymers show promising applications in detection methods for cancer cells. In this study newly synthesized MIPs, labelled with a nitrobenzoxadiazole (NBD) fluorophore, are investigated for their specificity and utility in the detection of cancer cell-related sialic acids.
Extraction of true, 3D shape (and size) of non-spherical nanoparticles (NPs) is associated with errors by conventional 2D electron microscopy using projection images. Significant efforts within the ISO technical committee TC 229 ‘Nanotechnologies’ are aimed at establishing accurate TEM and SEM measurement of NP size and shape as robust, standard procedures. Study groups have been organizing inter-laboratory comparisons on well-selected NP systems according to the market needs, such as aggregated titania nano-powder for which size and shape distribution of primary crystallites of irregular shape must be measured accurately. To be noticed is e. g. the fact that the measurement procedure allows only manual selection of the particles clearly distinguishable for analysis as well as manual definition of the contour of the imaged NPs.
An inter-laboratory exercise on titania NPs (pure anatase, grown by hydrothermal synthesis) of well-defined non-spherical shape, i.e. bipyramidal has been recently started within ISO/TC 229 under similar conditions as for the irregular shaped titania. Overlapped particles were allowed to be considered, as long as they are clearly distinguishable. One decisive NP selection criterion was to analyze only those NPs with a roundness value below 0.7, i.e. the NPs laying on the support foil and, hence, with projection areas clearly deviating from perfect circles (R=1). The overall evaluation (for 15 labs) of the size descriptors (area, Feret, minFeret, perimeter) and shape descriptors (aspect ratio, roundness, compactness, extent) by analysis of variance is just to be finished and included in ISO/WD 21363 Nanotechnologies -- Protocol for particle size distribution by transmission electron microscopy.
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.
TiO2 anatase nanoparticles are among the relevant players in the field of light-responsive semiconductor nanomaterials used to face environmental and energy issues. In particular, shape-engineered TiO2 anatase nanosheets with dominant {001} basal facets gained momentum because of the possibility to exploit different and/or improved functional behaviors with respect to usual bipyramidal TiO2 anatase nanoparticles, mainly exposing {101} facets. Nevertheless, such behavior depends in a significant extent on the physicochemical features of surfaces exposed by nanosheets.
They can vary in dependence on the presence or removal degree of capping agents, namely, fluorides, used for shape-engineering, and experimental investigations in this respect are still a few. Here we report on the evolution of interfacial/ surface features of TiO2 anatase nanosheets with dominant {001} facets from pristine nanoparticles fluorinated both in the bulk and at their surface to nanoparticles with F− free surfaces by treatment in a basic solution and to totally F− free nanoparticles by calcination at 873 K.
The nanoparticles fluorine content and its subsequent evolution is determined by complementary techniques (ion chromatography, TOF-SIMS, XPS, AES, SEM-EDX), probing different depths. In parallel, the evolution of the electronic properties and the Ti valence state is monitored by UV−vis spectroscopy and XPS. The calcination treatment results in {001} facets poorly hydroxylated, hydrated, and hydrophilic, which appear as surface features consequent to the expected (1 × 4) reconstruction. Moreover, IR spectroscopy of CO adsorbed as probe molecule indicates that the Lewis acidity of Ti4+ sites exposed on (1 × 4) reconstructed {001} facets of calcined TiO2 nanosheets is weaker than that of cationic centers on {101} facets of bipyramidal TiO2 anatase nanoparticles. The samples have also been tested in phenol photodegradation highlighting that differences in surface hydration, hydroxylation, and Lewis acidity between TiO2 nanoparticles with nanosheet (freed by F− by calcination at 873 K) and bipyramidal shape have a strong impact on the photocatalytic activity that is found to be quite limited for the nanoparticles mainly exposing (1 × 4) reconstructed {001} facets.
The analysis of nanomaterials is currently an important task - especially in case of risk assessment – as the properties of these material class are not well understood. The rather high surface area of these objects renders their interactions significantly different to their corresponding bulk. Thus, the surface’s chemical composition must be investigated to get a better understanding and prediction of the nanomaterials’ behavior. ToF-SIMS and XPS have proven to be powerful tools to determine the general chemical composition. The superior surface sensitivity of ToF-SIMS furthermore allows us to study mainly the utmost atomic layers and thus gives us an idea of the interactions involved.
Here, we present initial data on the analysis of Hyflon®-polystyrene core-shell nanoparticles which can be used as a model system due to the known preparation and a rather good chemical as well as physical separation of core and shell. Furthermore, results on Au nanoparticles with and without an antibody shell are presented. Principle component analysis (PCA) will be used to detect the influence of sample preparation and for a better separation of different samples. ToF-SIMS imaging is desired to be implemented for single particle detection as well.
The analysis of nanomaterials is currently an important task - especially in case of risk assessment – as the properties of these material class are not well understood and their growing use in everyday life. The rather high surface area of these objects renders their interactions significantly different to their corresponding bulk. Thus, the surface’s chemical composition must be investigated to get a better understanding and prediction of the nanomaterials’ behaviour. ToF-SIMS and XPS have proven to be powerful tools to determine the general chemical composition. The superior surface sensitivity of ToF-SIMS furthermore allows us to study mainly the utmost atomic layers and thus gives us an idea of possible interactions involved. Supported by multivariate data analysis such as principal component analysis (PCA), the method can also be used for sub-classification of different materials using slight differences in surface chemistry.
Here, we present data of the analysis of Hyflon®-polystyrene core-shell nanoparticles which can be used as a model system due to the known preparation and a rather good chemical as well as physical separation of core and shell. Principle component analysis (PCA) will be used to detect the influence of sample preparation and for a better separation of different samples. This is achieved by measurement of a statistically relevant set of samples for every particle sample. We acquired surface spectra under static SIMS conditions with Bi32+ and analysed the resulting spectra by PCA. The carefully selected and refined peaks allow a reasonable categorization and further a reliable allocation of blank feeds. In detail, the fluorine containing, organic fragments are an indication for a heterogeneous shell that has errors. Furthermore, results on Au nanoparticles with and without an antibody shell are presented. ToF-SIMS imaging is desired to be implemented for single particle detection as well.
Due to the growing number of engineered nanomaterials (NM) the need for a reliable risk assessment for these materials is today bigger than ever before. Especially the nanomaterial’s surface or shell directly interacts with its environment and therefore is a crucial factor for NM’ toxicity or functionality.
Especially, titania is one of the NM with the greatest technological importance. It is used for a large number of applications and can be found in food, cosmetics, glasses, mirrors, paints to mention only a few. In 2012, experts estimate[d] the annual European nano-titania production or utilization at an amount of more than 10,000 t.
Great progress has been achieved in the area of NM investigation and characterization during the past decade. A variety of publications provide information about technological innovation as well as hazard potential, which means the potential risk on human health and ecosystems. However, enhanced data harmonization and well-defined standards for nanomaterial analysis, could significantly improve the reliability of such studies which often suffers from varying methods, parameters and sample preparations. To develop a suitable approach for the NM’s risk assessment, the ACEnano project aims at establishing a toolbox of verified methods. The size of this well-structured European project allows to handle even those big challenges like data harmonization and standardization.
Due to its powerful combination of superior surface sensitivity and lateral resolution down to the Nano regime, ToF-SIMS could become one of these toolbox methods. Supported by multivariate data analysis such as principal component analysis (PCA), the method can be used for sub-classification of nanomaterial families using slight differences in surface chemistry.
Here, we show a PCA supported classification of titania nanoparticles from various sources (NIST, JRC, BAM) with ToF-SIMS. Parameters like size, shell, pre-preparation and crystal system cause variance in the data and allow us to distinguish the species from each other. Moreover, this variance in the data also occurs and can be used for investigation when we compare our measurements of particle ensembles with those of grown titania films. The carefully selected and refined peaks allow a reasonable particle categorization and further a reliable allocation of blank feeds, which introduces a promising approach for NM characterization in the context of NM risk assessment.
The EC Recommendation on the definition of nanomaterial, based solely on size of the constituent particles, foresees development of harmonised measurement methods ensuring ‘consistent results across materials and over time’. The EU/FP7 research project NanoDefine has been exclusively dedicated to support the implementation of this EC Recommendation for the European Union’s legislation. For the first time, measurement techniques able to determine the size of nanoparticles have been evaluated systematically on a well-defined set of quality control materials (spherical, monodisperse) as well as industrial materials of complex shapes and considerable polydispersity.
Particularly based on the analytical performance of the measurement techniques as tested on the challenging real-world particulate materials, it was possible to formulate recommendations for use of a new tiered approach consisting of screening and confirmatory techniques. Thus, a consistent framework of guidance for nanomaterial identification according to the EC Definition has been issued in form of the NanoDefiner e-tool, with a transparent decision flow scheme and an extensive user manual. Selected examples of analysis and classification as nano-/non-nanomaterials will be given, highlighting the limits of applicability of the available measurement techniques in dependence on sample properties. On some recent relevant developments in sample preparation – as a crucial part for an accurate analysis - will be also reported.
The main objectives of the new EMPIR project nPSize are to establish EU capability of traceable measurement of NP size and shape, lower uncertainties of NP size measurement by developement of new nano-CRMs, new models (physical and machine learning), 3D method combination, and also by new ISO and CEN standards on accurate NP size measurement and guidance and knowledge transfer. The envisaged outcomes of the project will be presented and their suitability will be discussed to be taken over as pertinent contributions to normative projects within CEN/TC 352 Nanotechnologies.
Three current research projects performed at BAM’s Division for Surface Analysis and Interfacial Chemistry are presented that tackle important challenges with regard to the characterization of nanomaterials: 1) The characterization at ambient pressure, 2) the investigation of core-shell nanoparticles, and 3) the characterization of non-spherical particles by electron microscopy.
1) Surface analytical techniques such as Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) or Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) typically require measurements in ultra-high vacuum. However, for many applications (e.g. catalysis and nanotoxicology) it is important to know the surface chemical properties of nanomaterials at ambient conditions. Therefore, near-ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (NAP-XPS) was used to investigate nanoparticles in suspension. The used instrumental set-up allows to directly insert nanoparticle suspensions into the analysis chamber and to measure without prior sample preparation. Compared to dry reference samples measured under high-vacuum, a shift towards higher binding energies was observed for silver nanoparticles in water, indicating a change of surface potential at the water-nanoparticle interface.
2) To determine the dimensions of core-shell nanoparticles (shell thickness, core and total diameter), scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM) was used. The analyzed model system consists of a polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) core surrounded by a polystyrene (PS) shell, providing a strong X-ray absorption contrast at the C K-edge and a well-defined interface. The introduced STXM‐based methodology yields particle dimensions in agreement with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results and provides additional information such as the position of the particle core, which cannot be extracted from a SEM micrograph.
3) The accurate measurement of size distributions of non-spherically shaped nanoparticles (representing most of the industrial nanoparticulate materials) is a challenging analytical task. High-resolution electron microscopy (TEM and SEM) is best suited to access the shape of individual nanoparticles. To fill the gap between ideal, monodisperse particles of spherical shape and complex real-world samples, BAM has started the work to develop reference nanoparticles of controlled shape, such as TiO2 platelets, bipyramids, and elongated particles. Results of a recent ISO inter-laboratory comparison will be shown with emphasis on the measurement parameters, descriptors and data analysis.