Nanoparticle Tracking in Single‐Antiresonant‐Element Fiber for High‐Precision Size Distribution Analysis of Mono‐ and Polydisperse Samples

Abstract

Accurate determination of the size distribution of nanoparticle ensembles remains a challenge in nanotechnology‐related applications due to the limitations of established methods. Here, a microstructured fiber‐assisted nanoparticle tracking analysis (FaNTA) realization is introduced that breaks existing limitations through the recording of exceptionally long trajectories of rapidly diffusing polydisperse nanoparticles, resulting in excellent sizing precision and unprecedented separation capabilities of bimodal nanoparticle mixtures. An effective‐single‐mode antiresonant‐element fiber allows to efficiently confine nanoparticles in a light‐guiding microchannel and individually track them over more than 1000 frames, while aberration‐free imaging is experimentally confirmed by cross‐correlation analysis. Unique features of the approach are (i) the highly precise determination of the size distribution of monodisperse nanoparticle ensembles (only 7% coefficient of variation) and (ii) the accurate characterization of individual components in a bimodal mixture with very close mean diameters, both experimentally demonstrated for polymer nanospheres. The outstanding performance of the FaNTA realization can be quantified by introducing a new model for the bimodal separation index. Since FaNTA is applicable to all types of nano‐objects down to sub‐20 nm diameters, the method will improve the precision standard of mono‐ and polydisperse nanoparticle samples such as nano‐plastics or extracellular vesicles.

Unveiling anticancer, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activities of novel synthesized bimetallic boron oxide–zinc oxide nanoparticles

“…In contrast, PDI outcomes of greater than 0.7 are intended to produce particles with a polydispersity distribution. 70 Based on our ndings, the PDI values for bimetallic B 2 O 3 -ZnO NPs were 0.89. According to the current values, the synthesized bimetallic B 2 O 3 -ZnO NPs were a reasonable range of polymers.…”

Gamma rays-assisted bacterial synthesis of bimetallic silver-selenium nanoparticles: powerful antimicrobial, antibiofilm, antioxidant, and photocatalytic activities

“…When the polydispersity index (PDI) results are less than 0.05, samples are said to be monodisperse by international standards organizations (ISOs). The goal of PDI results larger than 0.7, however, is to create particles with a polydispersity distribution [ 64 ].…”

Spatially Controlled Phase Modulation - Selective Higher-Order Mode Excitation in 3D Nanoprinted on-Chip Hollow-Core Waveguides

“…From an optofluidic perspective, the concept leads to novel lab-on-a-chip devices with new and improved functionalities for microfluidics, e.g., for waveguide-based nanoparticle tracking analysis. 21,35,36 It is important to note that the fields outside the waveguide core are very weak and therefore irrelevant for many applications. Due to the small overlap of the optical field with the polymer, additional applications at mid-IR wavelengths can be expected in the context of fingerprint spectroscopy 37 within liquid 38 and gaseous 39 environments.…”