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Direct Measurement of Sedimentation Coefficient Distributions in Multimodal Nanoparticle Mixtures
Claudia Simone Plüisch1, Rouven Stuckert1, Alexander Wittemann1
1Colloid Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstrasse 10, D-78464 Konstanz, Germany.
Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland)
|April 30, 2021
Summary
Differential centrifugal sedimentation (DCS) accurately characterizes nanoparticle agglomeration by analyzing sedimentation coefficients, not just size. This method aids in risk assessment and enables precise separation of complex nanoparticle mixtures.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Physical Chemistry
Background:
- Nanoparticle agglomeration complicates hazard assessment and grouping of nanoforms.
- Accurate data on agglomeration state is critical for risk evaluation.
- Agglomeration leads to complex mixtures with multimodal distributions in size, density, and shape.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate the determination of sedimentation coefficient distributions using Differential Centrifugal Sedimentation (DCS).
- To address the limitations of particle sizing based on spherical shape assumptions in DCS.
- To explore the practical application of DCS findings in preparative centrifugal separations.
Main Methods:
- Differential Centrifugal Sedimentation (DCS) for separating and analyzing nanoparticles in a centrifugal field.
- Focusing on sedimentation coefficient distribution rather than solely particle size.
- Comparison of DCS results with hydrodynamic bead-shell modeling.
Main Results:
- DCS can resolve particle populations with subtle differences in size or density.
- Sedimentation coefficient distribution provides a more accurate representation of complex nanoparticle mixtures.
- Demonstrated DCS analysis of supracolloidal assemblies ('colloidal molecules').
Conclusions:
- DCS is a powerful tool for characterizing nanoparticle agglomeration and complex mixtures.
- Focusing on sedimentation coefficients circumvents shape-related inaccuracies in particle sizing.
- Findings support the optimization of preparative centrifugal separations for precise nanoparticle sorting.
