Micro- and nanoparticles of mesoporous anodic alumina: Morphological and physicochemical properties

Abstract

In current biotechnological research, nanostructured particles in the micrometric and nanometric size range are of great importance for the development of new platforms for biological track and image applications. Although mesoporous anodic alumina is a well-known material that is widely used in optoelectronics, it has been used so little in research into the development of particles that it can be considered a new material in this area. In this paper we discuss the steps that need to be taken to obtain MAA particles with different morphologies in the nanometric and micrometric size range and make a systematic study and reference analysis of their physicochemical and optical properties as micrometric and nanometric elements. Particles are characterized by transmission and scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, zeta potential measurements, X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, photoluminescence spectroscopy and optical microscopy. The characterization is designed to provide valuable information about the biotechnological use of micro and nanoparticles of MAA. The versatility and capability of the particles and the relation of the properties studied to several possible applications is assessed.