Analytische Chemie
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- Nanoparticles (14)
- Online NMR spectroscopy (10)
- XPS (9)
- CONSENS (8)
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- Nanoparticle (7)
- Fluorescence (6)
- Online NMR Spectroscopy (6)
- Process analytical technology (6)
- SEM/EDX (6)
Oxidative stress is produced by an imbalance between free radical production and biological system's ability to detoxify the reactive intermediates and repair the resulting damage. In the human eye the main causes of oxidative stress are the daily exposure to sunlight, chemical insults and the special microenvironment with abundant photo-sensitizers. For this reason, oxidative stress has been associated several ocular diseases, like aged-related macular degeneration (AMD). On the other hand, Metallothioneins (MTs) are a family of low molecular weight (6–7 kDa), cysteine-rich (30%) and metal-binding proteins. The cysteine residues can bind metal atoms such as zinc, copper, and cadmium via thiolate bonds. These proteins have a wide range of functions including defense against oxidative damage, intracellular storage and transport and metabolism of metal ions. The antioxidant properties of MTs reside in their capacity to capture and neutralize free radicals by binding and transferring zinc ions in a redox-dependent fashion, forming the antioxidant system Zinc-Metalothionein (Zn-MT).
Highly sensitive analytical tools are required to study the relationship between Zn and MTs in sections from ocular tissues. These methodologies should permit the simultaneous localization (bioimaging) of metals and proteins. Laser ablation (LA) coupled to ICP-MS has shown a huge potential for bioimaging studies in biological tissues. In addition, the use of metal nanoclusters (NCs) as elemental tags will provide signal amplification, compared with other tags traditionally employed (e.g. polymeric tags). To this end, antibodies with gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) will be used in combination with LA-ICP-MS for the detection of different metallothioneins (MT 1/2 and 3) directly into the ocular tissue sections.
- Methods:
The AuNCs synthesized were bioconjugated with an Anti-MT 1/2 antibody and with Anti-MT 3 antibody. Next, using ocular tissue sections (5 microns thick) from different donors the immunoassays were performed. After the immunoassay protocol, imaging studies were carried out by LA-ICP-MS as well as by fluorescence (confocal microscope) in order to compare both methodologies.
- Results:
The MTs (measuring the Au signal) and the coordinated metals distribution (Zn and Cu) were successfully carried out in human ocular tissues, including sclera, choroid, retina and retinal pigment epithelium regions. The image patterns found in ocular tissues were in agreement with those reported by conventional immunohistochemistry.
- Conclusions:
It is possible to know the distribution of MT proteins and different coordinated metals using bioconjugated AuNCs and LA-ICP-MS. Proposed analytical tools could help to better understand the roles of the antioxidant system Zinc-Metalothionein in the eye.
The traceability and availability of nanoparticles enables their use to enhance a variety of nano-biological and nano-medicinal applications. The particular size and shape of nanoparticles determine the uptake rate and pathway into the cell, and therefore impact specific cell components and processes. Selecting specific particle types allows researchers to target the process or structure of interest, with minimal additional impact. This can be used for drug or DNA delivery, and is being explored for use in oncology. Understanding the different uptake mechanisms and impacted processes requires sub-cellular Imaging resolution to determine, for example, whether or not the nanoparticles are reaching the nucleus.
Sub-cellular imaging has traditionally been challenging to achieve with laser ablation ICP-MS due to a lack of sensitivity at small spots. Bioimaging using LA-ICP-MS is a well-established technique, but usually applied on the tissue scale, which depends on larger spot areas where sensitivity is less problematic. The improved sensitivity and washout from the NWRimage has allowed faster imaging of smaller spots. The NWRimage also provides the possibility of true sub-micron spot sizes. This work compares the capabilities of standard laser Ablation (NWR213 system) with results from the NWRimage platform, which has been optimized for imaging applications.
The field of gas metrology is dealing with the development and improvement of gas analytical methods, as well as production of highly accurate primary reference standards. These are prepared at national metrological institutes (NMI) and represent the highest national level of traceability. Used for certification of secondary standards provided by specialty gas distributors these are very important for a high number of industrial sectors, which have to proof traceability due to legal or regulatory affairs, e.g., natural gas suppliers. Thus, improvements in the production and certification of these mixtures will have a direct influence on gas industry.
Due to its direct correlation to the number of spins within active sample volume quantitative NMR spectroscopy (qNMR) is a highly promising method with absolute comparison abilities in complex systems. Especially for liquefied petroleum gases (LPG) it has the ability of studying the unmodified sample at same conditions like in the cylinder. In contrast to gas chromatography no preparation steps and no changes like evaporation of the sample are necessary.
In this work we show the most recent results of our investigations on highly accurate LPG mixtures provided in constant-pressure piston cylinders. A dynamic pressure-resistant setup allows for sampling and circulation of the samples to ensure a homogeneous withdrawal from the cylinder. This is presented on examples of a commercial multicomponent LPG mixture obtained from specialty gas distributor, as well as two cylinders from the key comparison CCQM-K119 at highest level of international metrology.
Temperature switches “on” and “off” nanoparticle fluorescence in a core/shell/shell architecture
(2017)
Fluorescent nanoparticles that light “on/off” by applying external stimuli are of particular interest in the fields of sensing, diagnostics, photonics, protective coatings and microfluidics. The current challenge for these materials is for instance to combine fluorescence and its response to a stimulus such as temperature in a precise manner. Here we present such a system based on a core/shell/shell architecture consisting of a silica core with a fluorescent layer and a thermoresponsive shell.
In this work the silica core nanoparticles were first coated with a fluorescent shell using surface initiated reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The fluorescent nanoparticles were then completely engulfed by a switchable protective coating made of thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide). The fluorescence of the nanoparticles could be “switched on” at room temperature and “switched off” with increasing environmental temperature because of the presence of the thermoresponsive layer. Insights into this phenomenon will be given based on temperature dependent fluorescence measurements and dynamic light scattering.
The use of silver nanoparticles in consumer related products has significantly increased over the last decade, especially due to their antimicrobial properties. Today they are used in a variety of products, which range from textiles to dietary supplements. Thus, investigations on nanoscale silver become increasingly important in many fields like biomedicine or catalysis. Unfortunately, the results of these studies are extremely diverse and do not lead to a consistent evaluation of the toxicity of silver nanoparticles. The main problem is the use of nonuniform and poorly characterized particles with broad size distributions. To overcome this problem we modified the known polyol process to synthesize ultra-small core-shell silver nanoparticles in a large scale. The particles are highly stable and show no aggregation for more than six months. Small-angle X-ray scattering analysis reveals a narrow size distribution of the silver cores with a mean radius of 3 nm and a distribution width of 0.6 nm. Dynamic light scattering provides a hydrodynamic radius of 10.0 nm and a PDI of 0.09. The stabilizing ligand PAA can be easily exchanged by biomolecules to modify the surface functionality. Replacements of PAA with glutathione and bovine serum albumin have been successfully performed. To demonstrate the broad applicability of our particles we performed catalysis experiments with the reduction of 4-nitrophenol as model reaction. The PAA-stabilized particles show a catalytic activity of (436 ± 24) L g-1 s-1, which is the highest reported in literature for silver nanoparticles. In contrast, GSH and BSA passivate the surface substantially resulting in lower catalytic activities.
Aluminum is the third most abundant element in the earth crust and therefore ubiquitously detectable in the environment. Mostly found in the form of derivatives such as silicates or oxides, it also occurs as metallic aluminum for example as colorant in sweets or in aluminum foil.
With regard to potential toxicological effects, the different solubility of metallic aluminum nanoparticles compared to Al2O3 is of high relevance. Formation of ions may facilitate the crossing of blood-tissue barriers. Distribution towards other organs and subsequent re-formation of particulate aluminum due to milieu changes might occur. Therefore, the determination of solubility is required for proper risk assessment. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) allows determination of aluminum with a detection limit of about 6 ppb. It could be proven that dissolution and solubility of metallic aluminum is significantly different when compared to Al2O3.
Using ICP-MS in the single particle mode, a significant change in the behavior of both aluminum species was detected after undergoing the artificial digestion. Nearly unchanged in the saliva, particles show dissolution and high agglomeration during the gastric state before deagglomerating again in the intestine.
Further analysis by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) revealed the uptake of both aluminum forms by proliferating and differentiated Caco-2 cells. For both particle forms different ions could be detected. Several aluminum-amino acid complex-derived ions from serine and valine were identified. In the case of Al2O3, Al2O2+, AlOH+, AlH2O+ and Al[(H2O)6]3+ were the main ions found co-localizing within treated cells.
Process monitoring of an intensified continuous production unit with compact NMR spectroscopy
(2017)
Monitoring chemical reactions is the key to chemical process control. Today, mainly optical online methods are applied. NMR spectroscopy has a high potential for direct loop process control. Compact NMR instruments based on permanent magnets are robust and inexpensive analysers, which feature advantages like low maintenance, ease of use, and cryogen-free operation. Instruments for online NMR measurements equipped with a flow-through cell, possessing a good signal-to-noise-ratio, robustness, and meeting the requirements for integration into industrial plants (i.e., explosion safety and fully automated data analysis) are currently not available off the rack.
Intensified continuous processes are in focus of current research. Flexible (modular) chemical plants can produce different products using the same equipment with short down-times between campaigns and quick introduction of new products to the market. In continuous flow processes online sensor data and tight closed-loop control of the product quality are mandatory. Otherwise there is a huge risk of producing large amounts of out-of-spec (OOS) products. This is addressed in the European Union’s Research Project CONSENS by development and integration of smart sensor modules for process monitoring and control within such modular plant setups.
The presented NMR module is provided in an explosion proof housing with a module size of 57 x 57 x 85 cm and involves a compact 43.5 MHz NMR spectrometer together with an acquisition unit and a programmable logic controller for automated data preparation (phasing, baseline correction) and evaluation. Indirect Hard Modeling (IHM) was selected for data analysis of the low-field NMR spectra. A set-up for monitoring continuous reactions in a thermostated 1/8” tubular reactor using automated syringe pumps was used to validate the IHM models by using high-field NMR spectroscopy as analytical reference method.
Process monitoring of an intensified continuous
production unit with compact NMR spectroscopy
(2017)
Monitoring chemical reactions is the key to chemical process control. Today, mainly optical online methods are applied. NMR spectroscopy has a high potential for direct loop process control. Compact NMR instruments based on permanent magnets are robust and inexpensive analysers, which feature advantages like low maintenance, ease of use, and cryogen-free operation. Instruments for online NMR measurements equipped with a flow-through cell, possessing a good signal-to-noise-ratio, robustness, and meeting the requirements for integration into industrial plants (i.e., explosion safety and fully automated data analysis) are currently not available off the rack.
Intensified continuous processes are in focus of current research. Flexible (modular) chemical plants can produce different products using the same equipment with short down-times between campaigns and quick introduction of new products to the market. In continuous flow processes online sensor data and tight closed-loop control of the product quality are mandatory. Otherwise there is a huge risk of producing large amounts of out-of-spec (OOS) products. This is addressed in the European Union’s Research Project CONSENS by development and integration of smart sensor modules for process monitoring and control within such modular plant setups.
The presented NMR module is provided in an explosion proof housing with a module size of 57 x 57 x 85 cm and involves a compact 43.5 MHz NMR spectrometer together with an acquisition unit and a programmable logic controller for automated data preparation (phasing, baseline correction) and evaluation. Indirect Hard Modeling (IHM) was selected for data analysis of the low-field NMR spectra. A set-up for monitoring continuous reactions in a thermostated 1/8” tubular reactor using automated syringe pumps was used to validate the IHM models by using high-field NMR spectroscopy as analytical reference method.
Currently, research in chemical manufacturing moves towards flexible plug-and-play approaches focusing on modular plants, capable of producing small scales on-demand with short down-times between individual campaigns. This approach allows for efficient use of hardware, a faster optimization of the process conditions, and thus, an accelerated introduction of new products to the market. Driven mostly by the search for chemical syntheses under biocompatible conditions, so-called “click” chemistry rapidly became a growing field of research. The resulting simple one-pot reactions are so far only scarcely accompanied by an adequate optimization via comparably straightforward and robust analysis techniques. Here we report on a fast and reliable calibration-free online high field NMR monitoring approach for technical mixtures. It combines a versatile fluidic system, continuous-flow measurement with a time interval of 20 s per spectrum, and a robust, automated algorithm to interpret the obtained data. All spectra were acquired using a 500 MHz NMR spectrometer (Varian) with a dual band flow probe having a 1/16-inch polymer tubing working as a flow cell. Single scan 1H NMR spectra were recorded with an acquisition time of 5 s, relaxation delay of 15 s. As a proof-of-concept, the thiol-ene coupling between N-boc cysteine methyl ester and allyl alcohol was conducted in non-deuterated solvents while its time-resolved behaviour was characterised with step tracer experiments. Through the application of spectral modeling the signal area for each reactant can be deconvoluted in the online spectra and thus converted to the respective concentrations or molar ratios. The signals which were suitable for direct integration were used herein for comparison purposes of both methods.