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Related Concept Videos

Atomic Force Microscopy01:08

Atomic Force Microscopy

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a type of scanning probe microscopy that can analyze topographic details of various specimens like ceramics, glass, polymers, and biological samples. AFM offers over 1000 times more resolution than the optical imaging system. Images generated from AFM are three-dimensional surface profiles, offering an advantage over the flat, two-dimensional images from other imaging techniques.
The AFM Probe
The probe is regarded as the heart of any AFM setup and comprises the...

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Quantitative and Qualitative Examination of Particle-particle Interactions Using Colloidal Probe Nanoscopy
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Quantitative and Qualitative Examination of Particle-particle Interactions Using Colloidal Probe Nanoscopy

Published on: July 18, 2014

Nanoparticle-nanoparticle interactions in biological media by atomic force microscopy.

Georgios Pyrgiotakis1, Christoph O Blattmann, Sotiris Pratsinis

  • 1Center for Nanotechnology and Nanotoxicology at Harvard School of Public Health, Harvard University , 665 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States.

Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|August 28, 2013
PubMed
Summary

A new atomic force microscopy method assesses nanoparticle interactions in biological fluids. It reveals how particle size affects agglomeration and dispersibility, crucial for understanding nanoparticle behavior in the body.

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13:15

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Published on: July 18, 2014

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Sub-nanometer Resolution Imaging with Amplitude-modulation Atomic Force Microscopy in Liquid
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Published on: December 20, 2016

Area of Science:

  • Nanomaterials Science
  • Biophysics
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Particle-particle interactions influence nanoparticle behavior in biological systems.
  • Understanding these interactions is key for predicting nanoparticle fate and transport.
  • Existing methods may not fully capture nanoparticle behavior in complex physiological media.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and validate a novel atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based platform for assessing particle-particle interactions.
  • To investigate the influence of primary particle (PP) diameter on the agglomeration potential and dispersibility of cerium oxide (CeO2), iron oxide (Fe2O3), and silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles in various media.
  • To evaluate nanoparticle behavior in air, water, and biologically relevant media like RPMI 1640 and RPMI with Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS).

Main Methods:

  • Utilized flame spray pyrolysis (FSP) to synthesize CeO2, Fe2O3, and SiO2 nanoparticles of varying diameters.
  • Characterized nanoparticles structurally and morphologically.
  • Employed an AFM-based platform where nanoparticles attached to AFM tips interacted with nanoparticles on Si substrates.
  • Measured interaction forces in air, water, and physiological media (RPMI 1640, RPMI + 10% FBS).

Main Results:

  • The AFM platform successfully measured particle-particle interactions in different media.
  • For CeO2 nanoparticles, agglomeration potential in water and RPMI 1640 was inversely proportional to PP diameter.
  • Fe2O3 nanoparticle agglomeration potential was independent of PP diameter in water and RPMI 1640.
  • In RPMI + 10% FBS, CeO2 corona thickness and dispersibility were independent of PP diameter, while Fe2O3 showed inverse proportionality.

Conclusions:

  • The developed AFM-based approach is effective for assessing nanoparticle agglomeration potential in physiological fluids.
  • Nanoparticle size significantly impacts interactions and behavior in biological media, with varying effects depending on the material (CeO2 vs. Fe2O3).
  • This method, combined with other techniques, can enhance understanding of nano-bio interactions and nanoparticle transport.