Determination of nanoparticle size distribution together with density or molecular weight by 2D analytical ultracentrifugation

Randy P. Carney, Jin Young Kim, Huifeng Qian, Rongchao Jin, Hakim Mehenni, Francesco Stellacci () and Osman M. Bakr ()
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Randy P. Carney: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Jin Young Kim: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Huifeng Qian: Carnegie Melon University
Rongchao Jin: Carnegie Melon University
Hakim Mehenni: Center for Solar and Alternative Energy Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
Francesco Stellacci: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Osman M. Bakr: Center for Solar and Alternative Energy Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology

Nature Communications, 2011, vol. 2, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract Nanoparticles are finding many research and industrial applications, yet their characterization remains a challenge. Their cores are often polydisperse and coated by a stabilizing shell that varies in size and composition. No single technique can characterize both the size distribution and the nature of the shell. Advances in analytical ultracentrifugation allow for the extraction of the sedimentation (s) and diffusion coefficients (D). Here we report an approach to transform the s and D distributions of nanoparticles in solution into precise molecular weight (M), density (ρP) and particle diameter (dp) distributions. M for mixtures of discrete nanocrystals is found within 4% of the known quantities. The accuracy and the density information we achieve on nanoparticles are unparalleled. A single experimental run is sufficient for full nanoparticle characterization, without the need for standards or other auxiliary measurements. We believe that our method is of general applicability and we discuss its limitations.

Date: 2011
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:nat:natcom:v:2:y:2011:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms1338

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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms1338

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