Improved Size Determination by Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis: Influence of Recognition Radius

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Biophysics

Background:

• Nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) is a common technique for determining nanoparticle size distribution.
• A critical parameter, the recognition radius, restricts particle displacement, leading to inaccurate size overestimation.
• Existing models often overestimate nanoparticle size by more than 20%.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a modified probability model for NTA that corrects for restricted particle displacement.
• To enable more accurate nanoparticle size determination in NTA measurements.
• To provide a compatible model for conventional NTA readouts.

Main Methods:

• Development of a modified probability model to describe restricted particle displacement.
• Validation of the model using computational simulations.
• Experimental validation of the modified model with NTA measurements.

Main Results:

• The modified probability model accurately estimates nanoparticle size with less than 6% error.
• Conventional models showed overestimations exceeding 20%.
• The modified model significantly improves accuracy in nanoparticle size determination.

Conclusions:

• The modified probability model offers a substantial improvement over conventional methods for NTA.
• This model provides more accurate nanoparticle size distribution analysis.
• Its compatibility with existing NTA systems ensures broad applicability.