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This contributions shows the first results of the ongoing interlaboratory comparisons under VAMAS/TWA 34 Nanoparticle populations related on the determination of pasrticle size distribution and relative concentration of nanoparticles and an example of an ILC running under VAMAS/TWA 41 Graphene and Related 2D Materials on the determination of the lateral diemsnions of graphene oxide flakes by Scanning Electron Microscopy. The link to related standardisation projects at ISO/TC Nanotechnologies are explained.
A thousand times thinner than a human hair, nanoparticles (NPs) are finding applications in a range of modern products. However, as some can affect human health or the environment, knowing the types present is essential. Electron microscopy is the ‘gold standard’ for NP analysis, allowing identification based on manual size analysis, but a new method was required to analyse these particles quickly, accurately and in a consistent way.
Nanoparticles (NPs) are tiny – around 1 to 100 billionths of a meter – and can have different chemistries and behaviours than the same material of larger size. This property has led to advances in a wide range of industries, but it can also confer toxicity. Size measurements are the main way NPs are identified but a lack of standardised methods for identifying ones with complex shapes has hindered evaluation of their potential harm.
The main objective was to assess homogeneity of two bimodal gold materials, namely nPsize1 and nPSize2, containing approximately 1:1 and 10:1 particle number-based ratio of ~30nm and ~60nm particles. Particle number-based concentration within the two size fractions was determined with spICP-MS using the particle frequency method of calibration.
The production of plastics is rising since they have been invented. Micro, submicro- and nanoplastics are produced intentionally or generated by environmental processes, and constitute ubiquitous contaminants which are ingested orally by consumers. Reported health concerns include intestinal translocation, inflammatory response, oxidative stress and cytotoxicity. Every digestive milieu in the gastrointestinal tract does have an influence on the properties of particles and can cause changes in their effect on biological systems. In this study, we subjected plastic particles of different materials (polylactic acid, polymethylmethacrylate, melamine formaldehyde) and sizes (micro- to nano-range) to a complex artificial digestion model consisting of three intestinal fluid simulants (saliva, gastric and intestinal juice). We monitored the impact of the digestion process on the particles by performing Dynamic Light Scattering, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Asymmetric Flow Field-Flow Fractionation. An in vitro model of the intestinal epithelial barrier was used to monitor cellular effects and translocation behavior of (un)digested particles. In conclusion, artificial digestion decreased cellular interaction and slightly increased transport of all particles across the intestinal barrier. The interaction with organic matter resulted in clear differences in the agglomeration behavior. Moreover, we provide evidence for polymer-, size- and surface-dependent cellular effects of the test particles.
Here a dataset of XPS, HAXPES and SEM measurements for the physico-chemical characterization of Fe3O4 nanoparticles is presented. The measurements are part of the H2020 project “NanoSolveIT”.
Since there is a lack of knowledge about the effects of nanomaterials on human health and the environment, and in order to get safe- and sustainable-by-design nanomaterials, it is necessary to find an easy way to assess their properties, without having to perform time-consuming experiments each time. In the European project NanoSolveIT, the behavior of nanoparticles is to be derived from a nanomaterial fingerprint database with standardized physico-chemical properties of nanomaterials. The key element for these grouping and reading across approaches is the collection of standardized information about nanomaterials in combination with modelling and simulations. As parameters the particle size, particle shape, chemical composition and surface chemistry are discussed here.
Measurements of the shape and size were performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). For the chemical composition energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and for the surface chemistry X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used. As an additional method hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES) with a higher information depth than XPS was used, thus we were able to include information not only from the top surface, but also from deeper regions of about 30 nm. Therefore, this method is complementary to EDS.
All these methods have been correlatively used to study nanoparticles of different chemical composition that have been treated differently by sterilization. Such a sterilization step is common, before testing for toxicity. To date, the sterilization step has not been considered in establishing the structure-activity relationship of the nanomaterial.
The effects of sterilization are discussed on exemplary samples. The results demonstrate the influence of sterilization on all investigated properties, indicating a restructuring of the nanoparticles. This implies that samples that have been sterilized after synthesis, may show different toxicity from those used in applications without a sterilization step.
Acknowledgement: This research is part of the project “NanoSolveIT”, which has received funding from European Union Horizon 2020 Programme (H2020) under grant agreement no 814572. (https://nanosolveit.eu/)
In the present paper we show an approach of measuring large numbers of nanoparticles in a single scan TKD. TiO2 anatase nanoparticles (NP) of bipyramidal shape were deposited on standard carbon grid used for TEM. The procedure used promoted formation of NP ‘monolayer’ islands with uniform distribution of NPs on the carbon surface which allowed mapping of large number of nanoparticles in the single island.
Collection of whole map covering ~2800 nanoparticles took nearly 20 minutes. Inverse pole figure color coded map indicates that the NPs are either lying on a {101} facet (within 10° range around perfect {101} parallel to the carbon surface orientation) on the carbon film or are lying on a {100} facet (within 10° range around the perfect {100} parallel to the carbon surface orientation). Very unlikely was the NP orientation standing on a {001} face. The NPs size distribution described as equivalent circle diameter (ECD) has been also evaluated and the mean NP ECD was 59 nm with standard deviation of 15 nm, i.e. in good agreement with electron microscopy or AFM results.
This study shows high potential of the technique for crystalline NPs analysis with respect to geometrical orientation of the particles on the substrate. With known orientation, the 3D dimensional characterisation of such non-spherical NPs becomes possible from 2D projection electron micrographs. Moreover, the NP size distribution can be easily extracted. Superior accuracies down to 1-2 nm are achievable. The approach is applicable also on thin lamellae extracted from particulate (or mesoporous) layers.
Following points are presented and discussed: i) nPSize as an EMPIR project on the nanoparticle size and shape distribution of (more) complex particles including sample preparation and machine learning approaches; ii) parallel development of ISO 21363 (PSSD by TEM), ISO 19749 (PSSD by SEM), ISO 22292 (3D TEM), ISO 52408 (NP Prep for AFM and EM), iii) VAMAS and pre-standardisation, TWA 34 „Nanoparticle Populations“ with two nPSize ILC projects P15 & P16 – results to be published and integrated in ISO 21363 (PSSD by TEM); iv) Remaining challenges: platelets, 2D materials (TiO2 and GR2M); v) Reference data sets as part of a complete Characterisation Workflow.
Today there are hundreds of products available containing silver in form of nanoparticles, so-called nanosilver. This situation and the foreseeable future growing market of nanosilver will supposedly cause an increased release of silver into the environment. In this way, silver can be also incorporated into the human body and accumulated in different organs, which can be toxic or at least an unknown risk to human health. For these reasons, it is important to constantly study materials containing silver nanoparticles, their production, application in products and technical processes, dissemination of silver nanoparticles in the environment, and effects on humans and nature. The state-of-the-art nanoparticle size and concentration characterization are illustrated in an extensive interlaboratory comparison. To guarantee the traceability of measurements and to secure the comparison of results of different analytical methods, reference materials (RM) and certified reference materials (CRM) are essential. As a case study, the objective of the presented project was to provide an aqueous suspension of silver nanoparticles as a reference material with a nominal diameter below 10 nm for application in the determination of the size and concentration of nanoparticles in an aqueous surrounding. Measurands are the particles’ diameter D, size distribution width σ, number density N, and concentration c. Target uncertainties, defined as one sigma of the measurand values, are 5% for D, 10% for σ, 20% for N, and 20% for c. The certification was carried out based on ISO 17867 and the relevant ISO-Guides to produce reference material. The process of using SAXS as a reliable method for testing homogeneity and short-term and long-term stability of the material is reported. The particle preparation is described in detail so that the user can carry out the steps of synthesis and characterization in his own laboratory if required. Optionally, one can also contact the author for the provision of the silver nanoparticles. Detailed information can be found elsewhere (BAM Certification Reports, BAM-N008 (2022)).
Previous work in the Dunne Group targeted dispersibility of metal oxide nanoparticles, which had been synthesised via an aqueous sol-gel route. Dispersibility was attained by solvothermal surface modification of the particles with trifluoro acetic acid.
Part of the studies were tin oxide particles, which is known for its predominant rutile phase.
Despite dispersibility in acetone of the particles unexpected peak splitting of the first (110) reflection was observed.
Intensive long-term reaction studies on the tin oxide particles exhibited a time dependent extend of the peak splitting observed in XRD character-isation. Extended characterisation using solid-state multinuclear MAS-NMR spectroscopy indicate size dependent structure change due to partial fluorination of the particles during the solvothermal treatment.
The progress of the VAMAS Project 16 "Measurement of (relative) number concentration of bimodal silica nanoparticles including deposition from liquid suspension" in TWA 34 Nanoparticle Populations is presented. Follwowing points are discusssed:
- Validate the performance of imaging methods to measure the relative number concentration
• electron microscopy (SEM, TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM)
• two modes of bimodal (30 and 60 nm) silica nanoparticles
- Validate the performance of small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) for the traceable measurement of the number concentration of the two modes.
The progress in the VAMAS Project #15" Measurement of particle size and shape distribution of bipyramidal titania including deposition from liquid suspension" within TWA 34 Nanoparticle Populations is presented with highlight of the following points:
- Determine and compare particle size and shape distribution by means of:
• electron microscopy (SEM, TEM, STEM-in-SEM)
• atomic force microscopy (AFM)
• small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS)
- Determine uncertainty induced by deposition protocol from liquid suspension with comparison to known values from a prior ILC with already deposited nanoparticles on TEM grids.
- Provide comparative validation of protocols for the techniques other than TEM.
Die Bestimmung der Nanopartikelgrößen- und -formverteilung nach OECD TG 125 mit der Transmission and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM/TEM) wird punktuell vorgestellt:
- Generelles Messprinzip
- Beispiele
- Korrelative Mikroskopie
- Welchen Durchmesser misst die Methode?
- Welche Partikel kann diese Methode messen?
- Welche Informationen kann diese Methode liefern?
- Wo stößt die Methode an ihre Grenzen?
- Implementierung und Datenauswertung,
- Reporting.
Anschließend wurde eine Q&A-Session für die Imaging-Methoden organisiert.
Previous work in the Dunne Group targeted dispersibility of metal oxide nanoparticles, which had been synthesised via an aqueous sol-gel route. Dispersibility was attained by solvothermal surface modification of the particles with trifluoro acetic acid (TFA). Part of the studies were tin oxide particles, which is known for its predominant rutile phase. Besides the dispersibility in acetone of the particles, an unexpected peak splitting of the (110) reflection was observed, which could be an unknown phase of SnO2 . For crystal growth long-term reaction studies on the tin oxide particles were performed. Interestingly these studies exhibited a time dependent extend of the peak splitting observed in XRD characterisation. Further extended analysis using multinuclear solid-state MAS-NMR spectroscopy indicate a size dependent structure change due to partial fluorination of the particles during the solvothermal treatment.
A Round Robin study has been carried out to estimate the impact of the human element in small-angle scattering data analysis. Four corrected datasets were provided to participants ready for analysis. All datasets were measured on samples containing spherical scatterers, with two datasets in dilute dispersions, and two from powders.
Most of the 46 participants correctly identified the number of populations in the dilute dispersions, with half of the population mean entries within 1.5 % and half of the population width entries within 40 %, respectively. Due to the added complexity of the structure factor, much fewer people submitted answers on the powder datasets.
For those that did, half of the entries for the means and widths were within 44 % and 86 % respectively. This Round Robin experiment highlights several causes for the discrepancies, for which solutions are proposed.
Due to their unique physico-chemical properties, nanoparticles are well established in research and industrial applications. A reliable characterization of their size, shape, and size distribution is not only mandatory to fully understand and exploit their potential and develop reproducible syntheses, but also to manage environmental and health risks related to their exposure and for regulatory requirements. To validate and standardize methods for the accurate and reliable particle size determination nanoscale reference materials (nanoRMs) are necessary. However, there is only a very small number of nanoRMs for particle size offered by key distributors such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Joint Research Centre (JRC) and, moreover, few provide certified values. In addition, these materials are currently restricted to polymers, silica, titanium dioxide, gold and silver, which have a spherical shape except for titania nanorods. To expand this list with other relevant nanomaterials of different shapes and elemental composition, that can be used for more than one sizing technique, we are currently building up a platform of novel nanoRMs relying on iron oxide nanoparticles of different shape, size and surface chemistry. Iron oxide was chosen as a core material because of its relevance for the material and life sciences.
Nanoparticles (NPs) have become important materials for a variety of chemical technologies, including catalysis. One of the main challenges is the reduction of green house gases, such as CO2. One opportunity besides the capturing is the conversion to synthesis gas via the reverse water-gas shift reaction.
A facile and efficient method is described for the solvothermal synthesis of size-tunable, stable, and uniform NiCu core-shell NPs. The diameter of the NPs can be tuned in a range from 6 nm to 30 nm and the Ni:Cu ratio from 30:1 to 1:1. The NPs are structurally characterized with combination of transmission electron microscopy, anomalous small-angle X-ray scattering, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X-ray absorption fine structure. Using these analytical methods, a core-shell-shell structure their chemical composition is elucidated. A depletion from the core to the shell is observed, with the core consisting of NiCu alloy, surrounded by an inner Ni-rich shell and an outer NiO shell. The SiO2-supported NiCu core-shell NPs show pronounced selectivity of >99% for CO in the catalytic reduction of CO2 to CO using hydrogen as reactant (reverse water–gas shift reaction).
Nanoparticle Populations
(2022)
Two new projects P15 Measurement of particle size and shape distribution of bipyramidal titania including deposition from liquid suspension and P16 Measurement of (relative) number concentration of bimodal silica nanoparticles including deposition from liquid suspension have been started at VAMAS/TWA 34 under the lead of BAM. First results are presented and discussed.
One aim of the EMPIR nPSize project 17NRM04 was to develop and validate three classes of candidate reference (test) materials (RTMs), with i) well-defined non-spherical shape, ii) relatively high polydispersity index, and iii) accurate particle concentrations.
To fulfil the requirements of the project, 11 different types of materials were prepared. Following the initial assessment of the materials suitability, nPSize5_PT_UNITO, nPSize6_AC_UNITO and nPSize7_GN_CEA materials were found unsuitable for the project, due to various reasons. PT material was deemed unsuitable due to its predominantly agglomerated nature. AC material contained relatively high amount of impurities (other particle forms). GN material was found too heterogeneous in both the length and width for the purpose of the project. The remaining 8 candidate RTMs were assessed for their homogeneity and stability and used for successful delivery of the associated activities within the nPSize project.
Water splitting using semiconductor photo-catalysts is considered a sustainable method to produce clean hydrogen fuel. Nevertheless, H2 photo-production efficiency remains still low, although extensive research works to understand better the mechanisms of the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER) and the Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) are being carried out. In this respect, TiO2 is a key photoactive material, usually employed with a co-catalyst deposited onto the surface to enhance charge carriers’ separation and catalyze surface charge transfer reactions. The deposition of a co-catalyst on the TiO2 nanoparticle surface represents one successful way to enhance the activity of the photocatalyst through a modification of its surface and redox properties. In this context, high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with elemental analysis by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) is fundamental for studying and understanding the effect of the nanoparticle morphology on the functional properties of shape-controlled TiO2 crystals (bipyramides, platelets, and elongated particles). Different types of metal-semiconductor combinations, TiO2 shapes and dopant metals (Ag, Pt, Au, Rh, Pd) and metal concentrations are discussed.
The conversion of solar energy into electricity and solar fuels is of crucial importance for a green and sustainable future. Water splitting using semiconductor photo-catalysts is considered a sustainable method to produce clean hydrogen (H2) fuel. Nevertheless, H2 photo-production efficiency remains still low, although extensive research works to understand better the mechanisms of the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER) and the Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) are being carried out. In this respect, TiO2 is a key photoactive material, usually employed with a co-catalyst deposited onto the surface to enhance charge carriers’ separation and catalyze surface charge transfer reactions. The deposition of a co-catalyst on the TiO2 nanoparticle surface represents one successful way to enhance the activity of the photocatalyst through a modification of its surface and redox properties. In this context, high-resolution scanning electron microscopy coupled with elemental analysis by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) is fundamental for studying and understanding the effect of the nanoparticle morphology on the functional properties of shape-controlled TiO2 crystals (bipyramides, platelets, and elongated particles). Different types of metal-semiconductor combinations, TiO2 shapes and dopant metals (Ag, Pt, etc) and metal concentrations will be discussed.
Nanosafety is becoming increasingly important as nanomaterials are widely used in industrial processes and consumer products. For nanotoxicity measurements prior sterilization of the samples is necessary, but as structure activity relationships are made with properties of pristine particles, the question arises, if the sterilization process has an impact on the physico-chemical properties of nanoparticles and thus on the biological behavior.
This question will be addressed in this talk. For this purpose, results from SEM and EDS measurements are combined with those of a novel lab-based HAXPES spectrometer in order to obtain a more complete picture. At the end, an influence of sterilization will be evident, which indicates a restructuring of the nanoparticles owing to sterilization.
Nanosafety is becoming increasingly important as nanomaterials are widely used in industrial processes and consumer products. For nanotoxicity measurements prior sterilization of the samples is necessary, but as structure activity relationships are made with properties of pristine particles, the question arises, if the sterilization process has an impact on the physico-chemical properties of nanoparticles and thus on the biological behavior.
This question will be addressed in this talk. For this purpose, results from SEM and EDS measurements are combined with those of a novel lab-based HAXPES spectrometer in order to obtain a more complete picture. At the end, an influence of sterilization will be evident, which indicates a restructuring of the nanoparticles owing to sterilization.
SI Files for "Towards automation of the polyol process for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles"
(2022)
The graphml file: reaction_graph_AgNP.graphml is included. It contains topological information (Fig. 1 in the main text) about the reaction setup and metadata with reaction condtions. It used by the Python API used to control the Chemputer.
SAXS reports. The complete report sheets generated by McSAS are included. They contain extended information characterising the size distributions and the fitting parameters.
NP3_I: saxs_report_NP3_I.pdf
NP3_II: saxs_report_NP3_II.pdf
NP3_III: saxs_report_NP3_III.pdf
NP3_IV: saxs_report_NP3_IV.pdf
NP5_I: saxs_report_NP5_I.pdf
NP5_II: saxs_report_NP5_II.pdf
NP5_III: saxs_report_NP5_III.pdf
The large surface-to-volume ratio of nanoparticles is understood to be the source of many interesting phenomena. The melting temperature of nanoparticles is shown to dramatically reduce compared to bulk material. Yet, at temperatures below this reduced melting point, a liquid-like atomic arrangement on the surface of nanoparticles is still anticipated to influence its properties. To understand such surface effects, here, we study the coalescence of Au nanoparticles of various sizes using molecular dynamics simulations. Analysis of the potential energy and Lindemann index distribution across the nanoparticles reveals that high-energy, high-mobility surface atoms can enable the coalescence of nanoparticles at temperatures much lower than their corresponding melting point. The smaller the nanoparticles, the larger the difference between their melting and coalescence temperatures. For small enough particles and/or elevated enough temperatures, we found that the coalescence leads to a melting transition of the two nominally solid nanoparticles, here discussed in relation to the heat released due to the surface reduction upon the coalescence and the size dependence of latent heat. Such discontinuous melting transitions can lead to abrupt changes in the properties of nanoparticles, important for their applications at intermediate temperatures.
In pursuing the automated synthesis of metal nanoparticles (NPs), the capabilities of the “Chemputer” are deployed, for the first time, into the field of inorganic chemistry. Metal NPs have a substantial impact across different fields of science, such as photochemistry, energy conversion, and medicine. Among the commonly used nanoparticles, silver NPs are of special interest due to their antibacterial properties and applications in sensing and catalysis. However, many of the methods used to synthesize Ag NPs often do not result in well-defined products, the main obstacles being high polydispersity or a lack of particle size tunability.
The Chemputer is a modular, automated platform developed by the Cronin group for execution of multi-step, solution based organic synthesis. The machine has been further implemented at BAM, where we used this setup to perform automated organic syntheses, autonomously controlled by feedback derived from online NMR. In the Chemputer liquids can be transferred across a backbone, constructed from HPLC selection valves and syringe pumps. The Chemputer operates in a batch mode, common laboratory devices, such as heaters and glassware like round bottom flasks, are connected to the backbone, forming reaction modules. Solutions can be manipulated in these modules, and as all operations are controlled through a software script, reproducibility among individual syntheses is high. Likewise, any adjustments of the synthesis conditions, if required, are straightforward to implement and are documented in the reaction log file and a code versioning system.
We characterised Chemputer-synthesized nanoparticles using small-angle X-ray scattering, dynamic light scattering and further methods, showing that automated synthesis can yield colloids with reproducible and tuneable properties. The approach is an important first step towards the automation of nanoparticle syntheses in a modular, multipurpose platform. The modularity of the Chemputer opens many possibilities for the synthesis of a variety of different NP morphologies and sizes and potentially more complex structures. These advances and further work can help in the general investigations of silver nanoparticles by supplying a reliable and reproducible method of their synthesis and removing tacit knowledge by significantly reducing the experimental bias.
The novel lab-based HAXPES spectrometer (ULVAC-PHI Quantes) gives us the possibility to measure XPS at 1486.6 eV (monochromatic Al Kα source) and HAXPES at 5414.9 eV (monochromatic Cr Kα source) on a sample at the same position. The surface analysis with this spectrometer leads to an information depth of about 10 nm for XPS and in comparison, to an analysis of deeper regions of about 30 nm for HAXPES measurements. This method provides a nondestructive way to distinguish between the near-surface region of the nanoparticles and the whole nanoparticle. Additionally, HAXPES gives access to deeper core levels at higher energy.
An application of this technique is presented using nanoparticles. The results shown were obtained with nanoparticles, that were treated differently by means of sterilization for nanosafety (i.e., before studying their toxicity it is important to establish whether nanomaterials are sterile and, if not, to be treated either via microwave or autoclave sterilisation). As a complementary method, the data is compared with SEM and EDX measurements. All methods demonstrate the influence of sterilization. More specifically, these results show that the sterilization step must be considered in the physical-chemical description of the particles for establishing reliable (quantitative structure-activity) relationships.
Both essential aspects of the surface of solid matter, its morphology and chemistry, are studied traditionally at BAM starting in the 60’s with different cyclical research focus areas, mostly related either to applicative research or method development. In the recent years, the focus has shifted almost exclusively to the nano-analytics of advanced materials such as complex nanoparticles, (ultra)thin films/coatings, nanocomposites, 2D materials, energy materials, etc. This is also the reason why BAM has established recently the new Competence Center nano@BAM (www.bam.de/Navigation/DE/Themen/Material/Nanotechnologie/sichere-nanomaterialien.html) with the five sub-fields nanoCharacterisation, nanoMaterial, nanoSafety, nanoData and nanoTechnology. The link to the BAM central guidelines to the safety in technology and chemistry is given by the development of reference products such as reference measurement procedures, reference (nano)materials, and newly reference data sets. Thus, an internationally well-networked group in surface analysis has been established @BAM, with regular contributions to integral analytical characterization with metrological and standardization background.
Examples of newly developed methodical approaches will be given with an emphasis on correlative nano-analysis of morphology and chemistry of nanomaterials. Correlative imaging by STEM-in-SEM with high-resolution SEM and EDX, and further with AFM or the new technique TKD (Transmission Kikuchi Diffraction) will be explained on various examples of nanostructures, both as starting materials and embedded/functionalized nanoparticles in products. The unique analytical benefits of the Auger electron probe as a veritable nano-tool for surface chemistry will be highlighted. The panoply of advanced surface characterization methods @BAM is completed by discussing examples of hybrid analysis of the bulk of nanomaterials by X-ray Spectroscopy with the highest surface-sensitive methods X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). Particularly for the analysis of the surface chemistry of nanostructures, such as the completeness of the shells of core-shell nanoparticles or in-depth and lateral gradients of chemistry within mesoporous thin layers, the latter methods are inherent.
Other special developments like approaches for the quantitative determination of the roughness of particle surface by electron microscopy or for the quantitative determination of the porosity of thin mesoporous layers by electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) with SEM will be presented.
The main outcomes of the EMPIR project nPSize are presented and the suitability of the new capabilities, e.g. reference materials, sample preparation protocols, measurement procedures, and data analysis, to be standardized and implemented in accredited analytical laboratories is discussed. Complementation and/or filling gaps of published and ongoing standardisation projects on size, shape and number concentration measurements under ISO/TC 229/JWG 2 are offered.
The two VAMAS inter-laboratory comparisons resulted from the nSPize project and just started under TWA 34 Nanoparticle Populations (Projects #15 and #16) of bipyramidal TiO2 anatase and bimodal SiO2 nanoparticles are presented in detail.
2D layered nanoparticles enable a distinct reduction of filler loadings in rubber compounds combined with a boost in performance due to their high surface to volume ratio. They often enable unique property profiles providing a great potential as effective fillers in rubber, especially by enhancing mechanical and barrier properties.
As the best possible incorporation into the elastomer matrix is crucial for the efficiency of the nanofiller, dispersing and exfoliation of the nanoparticles without formation of agglomerates usually constitutes an outstanding challenge - especially when using conventional processing methods. Laboratory-scale approaches for highly dispersed nanocomposites sometimes solve this problem, but these are often too energy and time consuming and provide no scale up possibility for real applications. Therefore, a latex premixing process was established to produce highly filled masterbatches, enabling the processing with conventional techniques.
The presence of nanoparticles greatly impacts the behavior of elastomeric compounds, besides affecting the properties of the final product also the processing is influenced (rheology, crosslinking).
In this study, nanocomposites of natural rubber and multilayer graphene (MLG) were prepared via a latex masterbatch route. Different strategies for masterbatch premixing are compared (stirring vs. ultrasonication, coagulation vs. drying). Dispersion and exfoliation of MLG were determined by transmission electron microscopy. The reinforcing effect of MLG affects the viscosity while the dispersed graphene layers may also act as diffusion barrier/absorbent for the crosslinking agents. In contrast to that, MLG forms physical crosslinks in the final product. Swelling measurements and differential scanning calorimetry allow a differentiation between chemical and physical network links. Different technical properties of the nanocomposites were measured with respect to mechanical and application relevant behavior.
he main objective of the nPSize project is to improve the measurement capabilities for nanoparticle size based on both measurement methods traceable to SI units and new reference materials. Two basic approaches have been used in order to develop measurement procedures resulting in traceable results of the nanoparticle size distribution: physical modelling for the methods used in the project (TSEM, SEM, AFM and SAXS) and machine learning.
Physical modelling: In this part, the physical models associated with different shape measurements for the techniques TSEM, SEM, AFM and SAXS have been collected and further developed with the aim to simulate the resulting signal as measured by the individual methods. Uncertainties and traceability associated with each model were investigated and evaluated. In the following, the progress on these physical models is reported for each individual method.
Machine Learning modelling: The aim of this part is to use machine learning to enable automatic measurement of nanoparticle shape from expert a-priori information only. No physical model will be used as a-priori information in this task.
The accuracy and traceability of the size results obtained by each technique will be analyzed and compared with the physical modelling. A machine learning database will then be used to create automatic detection algorithms.
International standardisation network VAMAS is calling for participants in two studies on the measurement of (relative) number concentration of bimodal silica nanoparticles including deposition from liquid suspension and the measurement of particle size and shape distribution of bipyramidal titania including deposition from liquid suspension.
Both essential aspects of the surface of solid matter, its morphology and chemistry, are studied traditionally at BAM starting in the 60’s with different cyclical research focus areas, mostly related either to applicative research or method development. In the recent years, the focus has shifted almost exclusively to the nano-analytics of advanced materials such as complex nanoparticles, (ultra)thin films/coatings, nanocomposites, 2D materials, energy materials, etc. This is also the reason why BAM has established recently the new Competence Center nano@BAM (www.bam.de/Navigation/DE/Themen/Material/Nanotechnologie/sichere-nanomaterialien.html) with the five sub-fields nanoCharacterisation, nanoMaterial, nanoSafety, nanoData and nanoTechnology. The link to the BAM central guidelines to the safety in technology and chemistry is given by the development of reference products such as reference measurement procedures, reference (nano)materials, and newly reference data sets. Thus, an internationally well-networked group in surface analysis has been established @BAM, with regular contributions to integral analytical characterization with metrological and standardization background.
Examples of newly developed methodical approaches will be given with an emphasis on correlative nano-analysis of morphology and chemistry of nanomaterials. Correlative imaging by STEM-in-SEM with high-resolution SEM and EDX, and further with AFM or the new technique TKD (Transmission Kikuchi Diffraction) will be explained on various examples of nanostructures, both as starting materials and embedded/functionalized nanoparticles in products. The unique analytical benefits of the Auger electron probe as a veritable nano-tool for surface chemistry will be highlighted. The panoply of advanced surface characterization methods @BAM is completed by discussing examples of hybrid analysis of the bulk of nanomaterials by X-ray Spectroscopy with the highest surface-sensitive methods X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). Particularly for the analysis of the surface chemistry of nanostructures, such as the completeness of the shells of core-shell nanoparticles or in-depth and lateral gradients of chemistry within mesoporous thin layers, the latter methods are inherent.
Other special developments like approaches for the quantitative determination of the roughness of particle surface by electron microscopy or for the quantitative determination of the porosity of thin mesoporous layers by electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) with SEM will be presented in conjunction with the corresponding advanced materials studied.
Current research projects, promising ideas, including ongoing (pre-)standardization activities in the field of the challenging nano/surface analysis will be touched systematically, with the open goal of identifying future bilateral cooperation possibilities between EMPA and BAM.
In order to assess new nanomaterials and nanoparticles for potential risks to health and the environment, they need to be well-characterised. The measurement of constituent nanoparticle size, shape, and size distribution are important factors for the risk evaluation process.
EMPIR project Improved traceability chain of nanoparticle size measurements (17NRM04, nPSize) is working to assess a range of traceable nanoparticle measurement approaches, including Electron Microscopy (SEM, TEM, STEM-in-SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy and Small Angle X-ray Scattering, and deliver improved calibration methods to users. For the techniques under investigation, physical models of their response to a range of nanoparticle types are developed. Validated reference materials are also used for inter-comparisons of measurement systems, with an evaluation of the associated measurement uncertainty. With project contributions to standards development work, manufacturers will be better placed to assess the human and environmental risks posed by nanomaterials across a whole range of products.
It sounds like being a simple analytical task, it is definitely not. The way toward accurate measurement of the size distribution of nanoparticles (NPs) with complex shape, having a broad size polydispersity, with inhomogeneous chemistry, and with a high degree of agglomeration/aggregation is very challenging for all available analytical methods. Particularly for the NPs with complex shape, the access to the smallest dimension (as e.g. required for regulatory purposes) can be enabled only by using imaging techniques with spatial resolution at the nanoscale. Moreover, the full 3D-chacterisation of the NP shape can be provided either by advanced characterization techniques like 3D-TEM tomography or by correlative analysis, i. e. synergetic/complementary measurement of the same field-of-view of the sample with different probes. Examples of the latter type of analysis are: i) electron microscopy for the lateral dimensions and AFM for the height of the NPs, ii) SEM with STEM-in-SEM (also called T-SEM), iii) Electron Microscopy with TKD (Transmission Kikuchi Diffraction) for determination of the geometrical orientation of crystalline NPs, iv) Raman and SEM for e.g. thickness of graphen flakes, or v) Electron Microscopy for descriptive NP shape and SAXS for the NP concentration, the latter as a NP property able to be measured with higher and higher accuracy. For all these types of measurement, reference NPs are necessary for the validation of the measured size. Particularly non-spherical reference NPs are still missing. Examples of such new reference NPs as characterized by the correlative analyses enumerated above will be presented in detail in the contribution.
Reliable characterization of materials at the nanoscale regarding their physio-chemical properties is a challenging task, which is important when utilizing and designing nanoscale materials. Nanoscale materials pose a potential toxicological hazard to the environment and the human body. For this reason, the European Commission amended the REACH Regulation in 2018 to govern the classification of nanomaterials, relying on number-based distribution of the particle size.
Suitable methods exist for the granulometric characterization of monodisperse and ideally shaped nanoparticles. However, the evaluation of commercially available nanoscale powders is problematic. These powders tend to agglomerate, show a wide particle size distribution and are of irregular particle shape.
Zinc oxide, aluminum oxide and cerium oxide with particle sizes less than 100 nm were selected for the studies and different preparation methods were used comparatively.
First, the nanoparticles were dispersed in different dispersants and prepared on TEM-supported copper grids. Furthermore, individual powders were deposited on carbon-based self-adhesive pads. In addition, the samples were embedded by hot mounting and then ground and polished.
The prepared samples were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (including the transmission mode STEM-in-SEM) and Dynamic Light scattering. The software package ImageJ was used to segment the SEM images and obtain the particle sizes and shapes and finally the number-based particles size distribution with size expressed as various descriptors.
The progress in activities on Microbeam Analysis under VAMAS/TWA 37 is reviewed. Particularly the liaison with the new projects within the ISO technical committee TC 202 is presented and discussed with respect to the possibility of identifying and launching related VAMAS projects. Need of more promotion for the engagement of more participants from industry and academia at national, European and international level is highlighted. Also, the competition with the other technical working areas (on 'nano' or materials-related) is critically discussed. Further, a short overview of the VAMAS areas of activities is given where Germany is involved.
A case study on the TEM analysis of the size and shape distribution of TiO2 bipyramidal nanoparticles prepared on TEM grids was included in the recently published ISO standard ISO 21363. It was agreed to organize at a later stage a second inter-lab comparison with the nanoparticles distributed to the participants as a liquid suspension. Protocols for uniform nanoparticle deposition on suited supports developed and optimized within the EMPIR nPSize project are also prepared to be distributed. For this, we have chosen the VAMAS platform (www.vamas.org) which offers an excellent international infrastructure of laboratories with high competence in nanoparticle measurement. The VAMAS technical working area dedicated to nanoparticle measurement is TWA 34 ‘Nanoparticle populations’. For this type of nanoparticles, the size and shape distributions are the primary parameters to be reported. Due to the good deposition protocols developed, an automated image analysis is enabled (in contrast to the manual analysis of irregular TiO2 nanoparticles.
In parallel with the TiO2 nanoparticle exercise, two spherical SiO2 nanoparticle samples with bi-modal size distributions (nominal relative number concentrations of 1:1 and 10:1) are prepared for a second VAMAS inter-lab comparison. Here, the nanoparticle concentration is the primary parameter to be measured. For the imaging methods it is targeted to measure the relative nanoparticle concentrations of the two modes. For the absolute nanoparticle concentration to be measured by imaging methods it is necessary to control the volume of the liquid suspension deposited on the substrate and to obtain such a homogeneous nanoparticle deposition on the substrate which allows to count (or extrapolate) all the deposited particles.
Natural Rubber Nanocomposites via Optimized Latex Premixing and Conventional Technical Processing
(2021)
Creation of highly functional materials and replacement of high amounts of conventional fillers are driving forces for the development of nanocomposites. Besides the type and properties of nanoparticles, their dispersing in the elastomeric matrix and the stability of this dispersion through all processing steps are the
main factors for the resulting performance of the produced material. Therefore, a preparation chain via latex premixing to a highly filled masterbatch, followed by conventional technical processing is to be developed.
Three types of carbon-based particles are characterized as such (SEM, Raman Spectroscopy, BET specific surface area) and in combination with natural rubber, as nanocomposites (TEM. Hardness, Abrasion resistance, Compression set, Cone calorimetry).
All of the studied particles lead to an improvement in the investigated mechanical properties, the extent of reinforcement depends strongly on the specific surface of the particle interacting with the elastomeric matrix in combination with their shape.