Hydrodynamic Diameter Of Particles Research Articles

Aggregation kinetics of inorganic colloids in eutrophic shallow lakes: Influence of cyanobacterial extracellular polymeric substances and electrolyte cations

The stability/aggregation propensity of inorganic colloids in eutrophic shallow lakes is of great essence in governing the water transparency and contaminant behavior. In this study, time-resolved dynamic light scattering was employed to investigate the aggregation kinetics of Al2O3 inorganic colloids over a wide range of cyanobacterial extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) concentrations in the absence and presence of electrolyte cations. The results showed that EPS adsorption alone greatly decreased the hydrodynamic diameters of colloidal particles, whose stability behavior followed closely the predictions of the classical DLVO theory. Electrolyte cations, however, can induce the aggregation of colloidal particles, and divalent Ca2+ were found to be more efficient in destabilizing the colloids than monovalent Na+, as indicated by the considerably lower critical coagulation concentrations (2.5 mM for Ca2+ vs. 170 mM for Na+). Further addition of Ca2+, i.e., >2.5 mM, caused an extremely high aggregation degree and rate. High resolution transmission electron microscopy revealed that this enhanced aggregation should be attributed to the gel-like bridging between colloidal particles, which were verified to be the amorphous EPS–Ca2+ complexes. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy coupled with elemental mapping provided additional evidence that the bridging interaction of EPS with Ca2+ was the predominant mechanism for the aggregation enhancement.

Surface tension, dynamic light scattering and rheological studies of a new polymeric surfactant for application in enhanced oil recovery

The present paper deals with the synthesis of a new polymeric surfactant (PMES) and characterization of its aqueous solution for application in enhanced oil recovery. The synthesized polymeric surfactant possesses properties of both surfactant and polymer. Surface tension, particle size distribution and rheological properties of the polymeric surfactant have been studied and analyzed under the influence of various factors. IFT was found to decrease with concentration of PMES and salt addition. The reduction of surface tension at optimum salinity is comparable to any commercial surfactant. DLS measurement showed that hydrodynamic particle diameter generally increased with concentration of PMES due to aggregation of molecules and decreased with salt addition due to disaggregation of molecules. Viscosity was found to increase with increase with PMES concentration but decreased with temperature rise and salt addition. Analysis of rheological data showed that polymeric surfactant behaved ideally up to a critical shear rate of 50s−1 but exhibited shear-thinning or pseudoplastic behavior at higher shear rates. Its viscoelastic properties were studied and showed that storage modulus G′ and loss modulus G″ increased with increasing PMES concentration. Specific frequency (SF) indicated by the crossing point between G′ and G″ on the viscoelastic curve represents the point of transition between elastic and viscous phases of the polymeric surfactant system.

On the Crystallography of Silver Nanoparticles with Different Shapes

The crystallographic properties of silver nanoparticles with different morphologies (two different kinds of spheres, cubes, platelets, and rods) were derived from X-ray powder diffraction and electron microscopy. The size of the metallic particle core was determined by scanning electron microscopy, and the colloidal stability and the hydrodynamic particle diameter were analyzed by dynamic light scattering. The preferred crystallographic orientation (texture) as obtained by X-ray powder diffraction, including pole figure analysis, and high resolution transmission electron microscopy showed the crystallographic nature of the spheres (almost no texture), the cubes (terminated by {100} faces), the platelets (terminated by {111} faces), and the rods (grown from pentagonal twins along [110] and terminated by {100} faces). The crystallite size was determined by Rietveld refinement of X-ray powder diffraction data and agreed well with the transmission electron microscopic data.

Organelles and chromatin fragmentation of human umbilical vein endothelial cell influence by the effects of zeta potential and size of silver nanoparticles in different manners

Recently, it has been disclosed that silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have the potential to inhibit infection and cancerous cells and eventually penetrate through injected site into the capillary due to their small size. This study focuses on the effect of size and zeta potential of bare and citrate-coated AgNPs on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) as main capillary cells. AgNPs with high and low concentrations and no citrate coating were synthesized by using simple wet chemical method and named as AgNP/HC, AgNP/LC, and AgNP, respectively. Citrate coated particles showed larger zeta potential of −22 mV and AgNp/HC showed the smallest size of 13.2 nm. UV-Visible spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering (DLS) were performed to evaluate particle size and hydrodynamic diameter of NPs in water and cell culture media. Results indicated that higher concentrations of citrate decreased hydrodynamic diameter and NP agglomeration. reactive oxygen species (ROS) production of all AgNPs was similar at 28 ppm although it was significantly higher than control group. Their effects on cell membrane and chromosomal structure were studied using LDH measurement and 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining, as well. Results demonstrated that AgNP/LC was less toxic to cells owing to higher value of IC50, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and less release of LDH. Cancerous (Human Caucasian neuroblastoma) and immortal cells (Mouse embryonic fibroblast cell line) were about twice more sensitive than HUVECs to toxic effects of AgNPs. DAPI staining results showed that AgNP and AgNP/HC induced highest and lowest breaking of chromosome. Overall results suggest that viability of HUVECs will be higher than 90% when viability of cancerous cells is 50% in AgNPs chemotherapy.

Specific physical and chemical properties of two modifications of poly(N-vinylcaprolcatam)

Two modifications of poly(N-vinylcaprolactam)—PVCL25 and PVCL40 (drying of a PVCL solution at 25 and 40°С, respectively)—as powdered films and their solutions were systematically investigated for the first time. Powders were studied by X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, low-temperature krypton adsorption, and differential scanning calorimetry. Solutions were studied by smallangle X-ray scattering and dynamic light scattering. It was demonstrated that powders of PVCL25 and PVCL40 differ in the characteristics of the sub- and microstructure and in the water content and the solutions differ in the particle size. The relationships between the characteristics of the systems in the solid and liquid state and between the hydrodynamic diameter of PVCL particles in solution and their coagulation time were found.

Nanomedicine: Interaction of biomimetic apatite colloidal nanoparticles with human blood components

This contribution investigates the interaction of two types of biomimetic-apatite colloidal nanoparticles (negatively-charged 47nm, and positively-charged 190nm NPs) with blood components, namely red blood cells (RBC) and plasma proteins, with the view to inspect their hemocompatibility. The NPs, preliminarily characterized by XRD, FTIR and DLS, showed low hemolysis ratio (typically lower than 5%) illustrating the high compatibility of such NPs with respect to RBC, even at high concentration (up to 10mg/ml). The presence of glucose as water-soluble matrix for freeze-dried and re-dispersed colloids led to slightly increased hemolysis as compared to glucose-free formulations. NPs/plasma protein interaction was then followed, via non-specific protein fluorescence quenching assays, by contact with whole human blood plasma. The amount of plasma proteins in interaction with the NPs was evaluated experimentally, and the data were fitted with the Hill plot and Stern-Volmer models. In all cases, binding constants of the order of 101–102 were found. These values, significantly lower than those reported for other types of nanoparticles or molecular interactions, illustrate the fairly inert character of these colloidal NPs with respect to plasma proteins, which is desirable for circulating injectable suspensions. Results were discussed in relation with particle surface charge and mean particle hydrodynamic diameter (HD). On the basis of these hemocompatibility data, this study significantly complements previous results relative to the development and nontoxicity of biomimetic-apatite-based colloids stabilized by non-drug biocompatible organic molecules, intended for use in nanomedicine.

Influence of Temperature on the Colloidal Stability of Polymer-Coated Gold Nanoparticles in Cell Culture Media.

The temperature-dependence of the hydrodynamic diameter and colloidal stability of gold-polymer core-shell particles with temperature-sensitive (poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)) and temperature-insensitive shells (polyallylaminine hydrochloride/polystyrensulfonate, poly(isobutylene-alt-maleic anhydride)-graft-dodecyl) are investigated in various aqueous media. The data demonstrate that for all nanoparticle agglomeration, i.e., increase in effective nanoparticle size, the presence of salts or proteins in the dispersion media has to be taken into account. Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) coated nanoparticles show a reversible temperature-dependent increase in size above the volume phase transition of the polymer shell when they are dispersed in phosphate buffered saline or in media containing protein. In contrast, the nanoparticles coated with temperature-insensitive polymers show a time-dependent increase in size in phosphate buffered saline or in medium containing protein. This is due to time-dependent agglomeration, which is particularly strong in phosphate buffered saline, and induces a time-dependent, irreversible increase in the hydrodynamic diameter of the nanoparticles. This demonstrates that one has to distinguish between temperature- and time-induced agglomerations. Since the size of nanoparticles regulates their uptake by cells, temperature-dependent uptake of thermosensitive and non-thermosensitive nanoparticles by cells lines is compared. No temperature-specific difference between both types of nanoparticles could be observed.

Interactions of ciprofloxacin (CIP), titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles and natural organic matter (NOM) in aqueous suspensions

The aim of the present study was to investigate interactions of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin (CIP), titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NP) and natural organic matter (NOM) in aqueous suspensions. The mean hydrodynamic diameter of particles of TiO2 NP and NOM in the suspensions ranged from 113 to 255nm. During batch experiments the radioactivity resulting from 14CIP was determined in the filtrate (filter pore size 100nm) by scintillation measurements.Up to 72h, no significant sorption of NOM to TiO2 NP was observed at a TiO2 NP concentration of 5mg/L. When the concentration of TiO2 NP was increased to 500mg/L, a small amount of NOM of 9.5%±0.6% was sorbed at 72h. The low sorption affinity of NOM on TiO2 NP surfaces could be explained by the negative charge of both components in alkaline media or by the low hydrophobicity of the NOM contents.At a TiO2 NP concentration of 5mgL−1, the sorption of CIP on TiO2 NP was insignificant (TiO2 NP/CIP ratio: 10). When the TiO2 NP/CIP ratio was increased to 1000, a significant amount of 53.6%±7.2% of CIP was sorbed on TiO2 NP under equilibrium conditions at 64h. In alkaline media, CIP is present mainly as zwitterions which have an affinity to sorb on negatively charged TiO2 NP surfaces. The sorption of CIP on TiO2 NP in the range of TiO2 NP concentrations currently estimated for municipal wastewater treatment plants is estimated to be rather low. The Freundlich sorption coefficients (KF) in the presence of NOM of 2167Lnmgmg−nkg−1 was about 10 times lower than in the absence of NOM. This is an indication that the particle fraction of NOM<100nm could play a role as a carrier for ionic organic micro-pollutants as CIP.

Toxicity of zinc oxide nanoparticles to the annelid Enchytraeus crypticus in agar-based exposure media

AbstractToxicity of zinc oxide nanoparticle (ZnO-NPs) powder and water soluble salt of Zn (ZnCl

Study on Self-Assembled Well-Defined PEG Graft Copolymers as Efficient Drug-Loaded Nanoparticles for Anti-Inflammatory Therapy.

The core-shell micelles in aqueous solutions were prepared at low CAC values (<0.1 mg · mL(-1) ) from amphiphilic graft copolymers consisting of poly(methyl methacrylate) backbone (120-165 units) with loosely grafted (17-40%) hydroxyl-capped PEG (9 vs 6 units in side chain) for drug loading. Hydrophobic indomethacin (IMC) was loaded into the micelles with content of 22-88%. Hydrodynamic diameters of particles were ranged in 110-200 nm. In vitro release experiments at various pH indicated faster releasing of IMC at pH 7.4 than that at pH 5.0. The studies on micellization, drug loading and release profiles verified the cumulative influence of hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance, degree of grafting, length of PEG side chains giving advantages in macromolecular design of nanocarriers in drug delivery.

Nonlinear energy dissipation of magnetic nanoparticles in oscillating magnetic fields

The heating of magnetic nanoparticle suspensions subjected to alternating magnetic fields enables a variety of emerging applications such as magnetic fluid hyperthermia and triggered drug release. Rosensweig (2002) [25] obtained a model for the heat dissipation rate of a collection of non-interacting particles. However, the assumptions made in this analysis make it rigorously valid only in the limit of small applied magnetic field amplitude and frequency (i.e., values of the Langevin parameter that are much less than unity and frequencies below the inverse relaxation time). In this contribution we approach the problem from an alternative point of view by solving the phenomenological magnetization relaxation equation exactly for the case of arbitrary magnetic field amplitude and frequency and by solving a more accurate magnetization relaxation equation numerically. We also use rotational Brownian dynamics simulations of non-interacting magnetic nanoparticles subjected to an alternating magnetic field to estimate the rate of energy dissipation and compare the results of the phenomenological theories to the particle-scale simulations. The results are summarized in terms of a normalized energy dissipation rate and show that Rosensweig's expression provides an upper bound on the energy dissipation rate achieved at high field frequency and amplitude. Estimates of the predicted dependence of energy dissipation rate, quantified as specific absorption rate (SAR), on magnetic field amplitude and frequency, and particle core and hydrodynamic diameter, are also given.

An Improved Theoretical Model of Cigarette Smoke Filtration across Mono-Segment Cellulose Acetate Filters

Summary An improved theoretical model was presented to predict the filtration efficiency of cigarette filters. Filtration equations of single fibers considering the interference of neighboring fibers were applied in the model. Cellulose acetate fibers in cigarette filters were approximated as cylinders. The fiber size was adjusted by its size projected on the flow field. The solid fraction of fibers in cigarette filters was recalculated using the size of the virtual cylinders. The varying flow velocity during smoking was taken into account when calculating the filtration efficiency. The effective hydrodynamic particle diameter of cigarette smoke was estimated to be 0.44 μm by the difference of filtration efficiencies under ISO and Health Canada Intense (HCI) smoking regimes. Filtration contributions due to diffusion, interception and inertial impaction were 62%, 32% and 6%, respectively, at a flow velocity of 0.38 m/s for particles of 0.44 μm diameter. The effect of inertial impaction was insignificant but not negligible under ISO smoking regime. The measured and predicted efficiencies of two cigarette samples were compared and satisfactory agreement was obtained. [Beitr. Tabakforsch. Int. 26 (2015) 232-240]

Characterization and potential environmental implications of select Cu-based fungicides and bactericides employed in U.S. markets.

This exploratory study aimed to examine the extent and mineral speciation of nanosized Cu in two fungicide products (A and B) available in the U.S. markets. Electron microcopy results demonstrated the presence of spherical and polydisperse <100 nm Cu particles in product B. Other elements (e.g., Pb, Na, Ca, and S) were found in both products. Mineral speciation analysis indicated the dominance of spertiniite followed by cornetite and then malachite in product A. In product B, spertiniite and tenorite were the dominant Cu species followed by cornetite and malachite. Tenorite in product B (∼30%, <450 nm) has the potential for stronger toxicological impacts relative to those of other Cu minerals in the tested products. For both products, the particle hydrodynamic diameter was impacted by changes in environmental parameters (pH, ionic strength, and background electrolyte) in Milli-Q water and humic acid suspensions. However, a minimal impact was observed in polyvinylpyrrolidone suspensions. The findings are critically important for estimating the fate and transport of Cu particles in different environmental scenarios as well as allowing a more accurate assessment of their risk that is largely impacted by chemical speciation and size.

A balanced salt solution that prevents agglomeration of nano iron oxo-hydroxides in serum-free cellular assays

Nano iron oxo-hydroxides have numerous and increasing applications in biology and medicine. Assessment of their uptake and toxicity often requires cell culture but maintaining iron oxides uniformly nano-dispersed in such conditions can be challenging. We describe a balanced salt solution (BSS) compatible with cellular assays for use in such investigations. We determined hydrodynamic particle size and dispersibility of nano iron in BSS. The BSS, containing 130 mM NaCl, 10 mM KCl, 1 mM MgSO4, 5 mM glucose and 1.8 mM CaCl2 in 10 mM PIPES buffer (pH 7.4), was capable of maintaining nanoparticulate tartrate-modified Fe(III) oxo-hydroxide (i.e. nano Fe) mono-disperse (≥95% nanoparticulate) with a mean hydrodynamic particle diameter of 6.1 ± 0.3 nm. This size was similar to the native form of the nano Fe material (i.e. as synthesized) with a mean hydrodynamic particle diameter of 4.3 ± 0.1 nm in water. Furthermore, we show that BSS also adequately maintains nano Fe dispersion when supplemented with inhibitors of particle uptake or lysosomal acidification, namely chloropromazine and monensin, and when used at pHs 6.5 or 5.8. In conclusion, we provide a method for nanodispersion of iron oxo-hydroxides that is suitable for short term (1–3 h) cellular exposure investigations.

Isolation of micro- and nano-crystalline cellulose particles and fabrication of crystalline particles-loaded whey protein cold-set gel

Micro- and nano-crystalline cellulose (MCC and NCC, respectively) particles isolated from cellulose filter papers via acid digestion were characterised and loaded into a heat-denatured whey protein isolate (WPI) solution which was subsequently cold-set-gelled. Both the MCC and NCC particles were rod-shaped and had higher crystallinity degrees than had the cellulose source they were isolated from. The hydrodynamic diameter of NCC particles was ≈15nm. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy suggested more surface hydroxyl groups on the NCC than the MCC particles and complete digestion of hemicellulose on the cellulosic substrate by acid. MCC- and NCC-loaded WPI gel matrices were topographically less uniform and contained many more undulations in comparison to the crystal-free counterpart. It was found, using dynamic rheometry and penetration tests, that the crystal loading into WPI gels weakened the texture. Non-covalent interactions between the cellulose crystals and whey protein strands were proposed in the gel structure according to FTIR results.

Electric Charging and Colloid Stability of Fabricated Nedle-Like \(\mbox{TiO}_{2}\) Nanoparticles

Charging and stability of needle-like TiO\(_{2}\) nanoparticles were studied. Measured isoelectric point (IEP) was pH~4 and lower than that of spherical ones pH~6. Heat treatment at 400\(\text{\r{}}\)C changed the IEP from 4 to 6. The shift is probably due to shape controller (ethylenediamine). The particles aggregate around IEP and thus are charge-stabilized. Experimental hydrodynamic diameters of needle-like particles showed a reasonably good agreement with the theoretical diameter. That is, the particles can be dispersed to primary particles. 1pK Stern and standard electrokinetic models describe electrophoretic mobility of needle-like TiO\(_{2}\), indicating that double layer relaxation is significant for needle-like TiO\(_{2}\).

Quantitative Measurement of Ligand Exchange on Iron Oxides via Radiolabeled Oleic Acid

Ligand exchange of hydrophilic molecules on the surface of hydrophobic iron oxide nanoparticles produced via thermal decomposition of chelated iron precursors is a common method for producing aqueous suspensions of particles for biomedical applications. Despite the wide use, relatively little is understood about the efficiency of ligand exchange on the surface of iron oxide nanoparticles and how much of the hydrophobic ligand is removed. To address this issue, we utilized a radiotracer technique to track the exchange of a radiolabeled (14)C-oleic acid ligand with hydrophilic ligands on the surface of magnetite nanoparticles. Iron oxide nanoparticles functionalized with (14)C-oleic acid were modified with poly(ethylene glycol) with terminal functional groups including, L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, a nitrated L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, carboxylic acid, a phosphonate, and an amine. Following ligand exchange, the nanoparticles and byproducts were analyzed using liquid scintillation counting and inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy. The labeled and unlabeled particles were further characterized by transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering to determine particle size, hydrodynamic diameter, and zeta potential. The unlabeled particles were characterized via thermogravimetric analysis and vibrating sample magnetometry. Radioanalytical determination of the (14)C from (14)C-oleic acid was used to calculate the amount of oleic acid remaining on the surface of the particles after purification and ligand exchange. There was a significant loss of oleic acid on the surface of the particles after ligand exchange with amounts varying for the different functional binding groups on the poly(ethylene glycol). Nonetheless, all samples demonstrated some residual oleic acid associated with the particles. Quantification of the oleic acid remaining after ligand exchange reveals a binding hierarchy in which catechol derived anchor groups displace oleic acid on the surface of the nanoparticles better than the phosphonate, followed by the amine and carboxylic acid groups. Furthermore, the results show that these ligand exchange reactions do not necessarily occur to completion as is often assumed, thus leaving a residual amount of oleic acid on the surface of the particles. A thorough analysis of ligand exchange is required to develop nanoparticles that are suitable for their desired application.

Sizing of metallic nanoparticles confined to a microfluidic film applying dark-field particle tracking.

We present Brownian motion-based sizing of individual submicron and nanoparticles in liquid samples. The advantage of our approach is that particles can freely diffuse in a 10 μm thin liquid film and are therefore always within the focal depth of a low numerical aperture objective. Particles are visualized with dark-field microscopy, and the resulting diffraction-limited spots are tracked over a wide field of view of several hundred micrometers. Consequently, it is ascertained that long 2D trajectories are acquired, which leads to significantly increased particle sizing precision. The hydrodynamic diameters of metal particles with nominal sizes ranging from 70 to 200 nm in aqueous solution were determined by tracking for up to 2 min, and it was investigated if the diffusion characteristics were influenced by the proximity of substrates. This was not the case, and the estimated diameters were in good agreement with the values obtained by electron microscopy, thus validating the particle sizing principle. Furthermore, we measured a sample mixture to demonstrate the distinction of close particle sizes and performed the conjugation of a model protein (BSA) on the nanoparticle surface. An average increase in the radius of 9 nm was determined, which corresponds to the size of the BSA protein.

Properties of Water/n-Propanol/Ionic Surfactant/Phenylacetylene Micellar Systems

Normal 0 Water/ n- propanol/ionic surfactant /phenylacetylene micellar systems were formulated. The surfactants were the anionic, sodium dodecyl sulfate and the cationic cetyltrimethylammonium bromide. The ratio (w/w) of n- propanol/surfactant equals 2/1. The extent of the micellar region as function of temperature was determined. The particle hydrodynamic diameter of the oil-in-water micellar systems measured using dynamic light scattering and was found to decrease with temperature. In the diluted region, nanoemulsions systems were observed. Hydration of alkynes found to be highly influenced from the ionic nature of the surfactant. Cationic surfactants accelerate the addition of water to alkynes while anionic surfactants decease the reaction rate.

Synthesis, characterization, and protein labeling of difunctional magnetic nanoparticles modified with thiazole orange dye

A dual functional nanoparticle was designed and synthesized by encapsulating magnetic core inside silica particles and subsequently a thiazole orange (TO) dye derivative was modified on the surface of the nanoparticles. The obtained particles were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscope, Uv–Vis spectrophotometer, fluorescence spectrophotometer, transmission electron microscope, dynamic light scattering, etc. The size of preliminary magnetic particles is ca. 7 nm, but after coating a silica layer and dye, the size of particles is increased to ca. 60 nm. The hydrodynamic diameter, water dispersibility, and zeta potential were also determined. The hydrodynamic diameter of particles with silica and dye is 65.2 and 70.5 nm, respectively, with positive zeta potential (25.1, 38.5 mV). Furthermore magnetic properties of the particles were measured and the experimental results suggested that it could meet the requirement of application as magnetic resonance imaging agent. Finally to verify the availability of the particles as fluorescent labeling, protein labeling experiment was performed using bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein and the results showed that the dual functional particle has higher affinity with BSA than TO molecule itself.