publication date: Jan 11, 2012
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author/source: Talking Science Limited
NanoSight, leading manufacturers of unique
nanoparticle characterization technology, describes how the Nano Chemistry
group at DTU Copenhagen is utilizing nanoparticle tracking analysis, NTA, in
its research and teaching programs.
The NanoChemistry group at the Department of Chemistry at DTU in Kongens Lyngby
near Copenhagen, is led by Professor Jens Ulstrup.
Chemistry at the nanoscale deals with the observation and manipulation of
Nature's tiniest chemical building blocks, and with the design and exploitation
of new properties that arise from nanoscale objects. The NanoChemistrty group
at DTU Chemistry uses new and untraditional technologies which has helped us to
open a whole new world of "ultra-small" chemical and physicochemical
systems of great importance for future technology. One of the current projects
dealing with nanoparticles in solution is the SAMENS project.
The main objective of NanoChemistry's SAMENS project (saccharide-based approach
to metallic nanostructure synthesis) is to develop methods for the preparation
of novel exciting nanostructures. These include very small, (i.e. less than a
few nanometers) metallic and metal oxide nanoparticles, core-shell
hetero-nanostructures of metals and metal oxides and highly anisotropic
nanostructures. These are thoroughly characterized by a variety of methods and
applied in electrochemistry and electrocatalysis. The research is built on a
strong "green" foundation (i.e. harmless chemicals, aqueous
environment and mild synthesis conditions) with constant efforts also within
nanotoxicology. The properties of the nanostructures depend strongly on their
size and shape, so it is critical that we have precise knowledge about these
parameters.
Several techniques for size and shape characterization have been used in the
project. These include TEM, AFM, STM, UV-Vis, SEM and Zetasizing. Most
recently, a NanoSight system providing particle-by-particle nanoparticle
tracking analysis, NTA, was acquired. The leading user, Christian Engelbrekt
from the NanoChemistry group at DTU Chemistry, describes his thoughts on using
the system for his research:
"From my experience, NTA is superior to the majority of nanoparticle
characterisation techniques and complementary to others. Compared to other
light-scattering techniques in solution, the NTA user is much closer to the raw
data. This provides a strong basis for analysis and interpretation of the
results. This is especially important when working with hybrid and anisotropic
nanostructures where very careful data analysis is needed. The other techniques
are all based on dried or immobilized samples which introduces other challenges
regarding interpretation. We furthermore often look at coated nanostructures
and with NTA we can "see" the overall size including the coating
layer which is not visible in TEM. And another advantage is that NTA is really
fast and inexpensive to run."
To find out about the company and to learn more about particle characterization
using NanoSight's unique nanoparticle tracking analysis solutions, visit
http://www.nanosight.com/
and register to receive the next issue of NanoTrail, the company's electronic
newsletter.
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