Jaroslaw Grobelny

Detection limits of DLS and UV-Vis spectroscopy in characterization of polydisperse nanoparticles colloids

Dynamic light scattering is a method that depends on the interaction of light with particles. This method can be used for measurements of narrow particle size distributions especially in the range of 2-500 nm. Sample polydispersity can distort the results, and we could not see the real populations of particles because big particles presented in the sample can screen smaller ones. Although the theory and mathematical basics of DLS technique are already well known, little has been done to determine its limits experimentally. The size and size distribution of artificially prepared polydisperse silver nanoparticles (NPs) colloids were studied using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. Polydisperse colloids were prepared based on the mixture of chemically synthesized monodisperse colloids well characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), DLS, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Analysis of the DLS results obtained for polydisperse colloids reveals that several percent of the volume content of bigger NPs could screen completely the presence of smaller ones. The presented results could be extremely important from nanoparticles metrology point of view and should help to understand experimental data especially for the one who works with DLS and/or UV-Vis only.

Quantification of the meniscus effect in adhesion force measurements

Adhesion forces between a gold sphere and flat gold substrate are studied using atomic force microscopy in different environments. The pull-off force measured in a vacuum is found to be a small fraction of that in ambient air or nitrogen atmosphere. Calculations of capillary condensation forces, including the effects of elastic deformation of the contacting bodies and of adsorption layers, reveal that the meniscus force is the dominant source of the observed difference in pull-off forces. The experimental data show that nitrogen purge does not eliminate the meniscus contribution to the pull-off force.

Dielectric Properties and Characterisation of Titanium Dioxide Obtained by Different Chemistry Methods

This work was financially supported by the National Science Center (Poland) grant awarded by Decision no. DEC-2011/03/D/ST5/06074. The authors are grateful to Professor Adam Tracz from the Polish Academy of Science in Lodz for his help in performing SEM investigations.

Tannic acid modified silver nanoparticles show antiviral activity in herpes simplex virus type 2 infection.

The interaction between silver nanoparticles and herpesviruses is attracting great interest due to their antiviral activity and possibility to use as microbicides for oral and anogenital herpes. In this work, we demonstrate that tannic acid modified silver nanoparticles sized 13 nm, 33 nm and 46 nm are capable of reducing HSV-2 infectivity both in vitro and in vivo. The antiviral activity of tannic acid modified silver nanoparticles was size-related, required direct interaction and blocked virus attachment, penetration and further spread. All tested tannic acid modified silver nanoparticles reduced both infection and inflammatory reaction in the mouse model of HSV-2 infection when used at infection or for a post-infection treatment. Smaller-sized nanoparticles induced production of cytokines and chemokines important for anti-viral response. The corresponding control buffers with tannic acid showed inferior antiviral effects in vitro and were ineffective in blocking in vivo infection. Our results show that tannic acid modified silver nanoparticles are good candidates for microbicides used in treatment of herpesvirus infections.

Domain structure of sintered SmCo5 magnets studied by magneticforce microscopy

The domain structure of sintered SmCo5 permanent magnets at the surface perpendicular to the alignment axis was investigated by magnetic force microscopy (MFM). The main domains forming a maze pattern of typically 3–5μm in width and surface reverse spikes of typically 1–2μm in size are observed. This coarse domain structure is similar to those present in sufficiently thick uniaxial crystals with strong magnetocrystalline anisotropy, reported in earlier investigations performed by Bitter pattern method or magneto-optic Kerr microscopy. In addition to the coarse domain structure, a complicated system of the fine surface domains of 10–200nm in width is observed. The thickness of the zone below the surface filled with these fine scale domains is estimated to be 100 nm and their presence is related to the reduction of the magnetostatic energy close to the specimen surface. Practically no correlation between the magnetic domain structure and the surface topography, the latter revealed by atomic force microscopy...

Assessment of in vitro cellular responses of monocytes and keratinocytes to tannic acid modified silver nanoparticles

Hydrolyzable tannins are known to exhibit diverse biological effects, which can be used in combination with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). In this study, we tested toxic and inflammatory properties of tannic-acid modified 13, 33, 46 nm and unmodified 10-65 nm AgNPs using murine 291.03C keratinocyte and RAW 264.7 monocyte cell lines. Both cell lines exposed for 24h to 1-10 μg/ml of 13 nm, 33 nm, 46 nm and unmodified AgNPs showed dose-dependent toxicity and decreased cell proliferation. Only small-sized AgNPs induced production of ROS by monocytes, but not keratinocytes. Monocytes internalized large aggregates of 33, 46 nm and 10-65 nm AgNPs in cytoplasmic vacuoles, whereas keratinocytes accumulated less particles. AgNPs of 13 nm were localized ubiquitously within both cell types. The tested AgNPs strongly down-regulated production of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) by monocytes, whereas keratinocytes exposed to AgNPs showed an opposite effect. Unmodified but not tannic acid-modified AgNPs increased production of the pro-inflammatory MCP-1 by monocytes and keratinocytes. In summary, low inflammatory potential and lack of ROS production by tannic-acid modified AgNPs sized above 30 nm suggests that tannic acid modification of large silver nanoparticles may help to increase AgNPs biosafety.

Size Measurement of Nanoparticles using Atomic Force Microscopy

This chapter outlines procedures for sample preparation and the determination of nanoparticle size using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Several procedures for dispersing gold nanoparticles on various surfaces such that they are suitable for imaging and height measurement via intermittent contact mode, or tapping mode, AFM are first described. The methods for AFM calibration and operation to make such measurements are then discussed. Finally, the techniques for data analysis and reporting are provided. The nanoparticles cited are National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Au nanoparticle Reference Materials RM 8011 (nominally 10 nm particles), RM 8012 (nominally 30 nm), and RM 8013 (nominally 60 nm).

Origin of adhesion in humid air.

The origin of adhesion in humid air is investigated by pull-off force measurements between nanoscale contacts using atomic force microscopes in controlled environments from ultrahigh vacuum through various humidity conditions to water. An equivalent work of adhesion (WOA) model with a simplified interface stress distribution is developed, combining the effects of screened van der Waals and meniscus forces, which describes adhesion in humid air and which self-consistently treats the contact stress and deformation. Although the pull-off force is found to vary significantly with humidity, the equivalent WOA is found to be invariant. Increasing humidity alters the nature of the surface adhesion from a compliant contact with a localized, intense meniscus force to a stiff contact with an extended, weak meniscus force.

Superhydrophobic surface by replication of laser micromachined pattern in epoxy/alumina nanoparticle composite

Superhydrophobic surfaces were obtained by superposition of microstructure—defined by replication of laser micromachined masters, with nanostructure—created by durable epoxy/γ-Al2O3 nanoparticle composite, used for replication. Hierarchical surface topography thus obtained consisted of hexagonally spaced microcavities and nanoparticle agglomerates, exposed on the replica surface by radio frequency (RF) air plasma etching. Surface topography was further enhanced by rims around the microcavity edges, resulting from nanosecond laser micromachining defects in aluminum masters. Subsequent wet chemical hydrophobization with 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorotetradecyltriethoxysilane (PFTDTES) provided superhydrophobic behavior in replicas with a microcavity spacing of 30 μm, as indicated by a water contact angle of 160° and a sliding angle of 8°. The preparation method is relatively simple, inexpensive, and potentially scalable.

Mechanism of nanoparticle manipulation by scanning tunnelling microscopy

Scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) imaging was performed on gold surfaces with a large coverage of monodispersed silver nanoparticles soft-landed on the surface from the gas phase. In both ambient and ultra-high vacuum conditions, STM scanning was found to displace the particles out of the scanning area, due to weak adhesion of the particles to the substrate surface. Calculations based on contact mechanics and electrostatics show that the particles can overcome the force of adhesion to the surface and jump onto the STM tip beyond the tunnelling distance. The observation provides the possibility for patterning or arranging nanoparticles on a surface, which is demonstrated, and offers the potential for a multiplexed approach to create very precise surface patterns and particle arrangements.