Absolute Analysis of Nanoparticle Suspension with Surface Plasmon Microscopy

The recently developed surface plasmon microscopy of single nanoparticles offers a powerful tool for monitoring particle transfer from bulk solution to the adsorbing surface. In the present work, the possibility of absolute analysis of suspension, based on particle transfer observation, was examined. A model based on particle diffusion in a laminar flow, which allows analytical solution of mass transport equation, was considered. It was demonstrated that direct determination of particle concentration, based on counting the particles that bind to the sensor surface, is possible. The model contains only independent, easy to determine parameters: flow cell geometry, flow rate, particle size, and liquid viscosity. For applicability of the model, particles should be irreversibly bound when touching the sensor surface. It was demonstrated that the required "perfect binding" is provided in certain electrolyte concentration range because even particles oppositely charged to the surface do not bind in pure water. If the binding probability is less than 100%, "absoluteness" of the method is not violated. It will require the extension of the transport model with the sticking coefficient, which can be also measured by the surface plasmon microscopy directly. The present work shows the feasibility of the absolute analysis. It demonstrates the great potential of the method toward the comprehensive nanoparticle analytics and investigation of binding processes.