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In situ characterization of gas-filled microballoons using soft X-ray microspectroscopy.

George Tzvetkov¹, Birgit Graf², Paulo Fernandes³

¹Physikalische Chemie II, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Egerlandstrasse 3, D-91058 Erlangen, Germany. george.tzvetkov@chemie.uni-erlangen.de and Swiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer Institut, 5232 Villigen - PSI, Switzerland.

|September 10, 2020

Summary

Researchers used scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM) to characterize novel poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) microballoons. This technique distinguished between water- and air-filled particles, revealing high stability for potential biomedical uses.

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Area of Science:

Materials Science
Biomaterials Science
Nanotechnology

Background:

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) microballoons are promising for various applications.
Characterizing microballoon content and stability in aqueous environments is crucial for their development.
Advanced microscopy techniques are needed for direct, real-space analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

To perform the first direct, real-space characterization of novel PVA-based microballoons in water.
To distinguish between water- and air-filled microballoons using STXM.
To assess the stability and composition of these microballoons for potential applications.

Main Methods:

Utilizing scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM) for high-resolution imaging.
Analyzing oxygen K-edge near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectra.
Performing STXM imaging below and above the O K-edge (520 eV and 550 eV).

Main Results:

STXM successfully provided direct, real-space characterization of PVA microballoons in an aqueous environment.
NEXAFS spectra unambiguously differentiated between water- and air-filled microballoons.
STXM imaging revealed unique compositional information and confirmed high microballoon stability over 6 months.

Conclusions:

STXM is a powerful tool for characterizing microballoon systems in aqueous media.
The novel PVA microballoons exhibit exceptional stability and gas-retention capabilities.
These stable microballoons show significant potential for diverse biomedical applications.