How Can We Detect Nanoparticles Based on Their Size, Shape and Shell?

Netta Bruchiel-Spanier, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
Daniel Mandler, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel

Speciation of nanoparticles, that is, their differentiation based on size, shape and stabilizing shell, is becoming important because of properties such as toxicity that strongly depend on these parameters. Nanoparticle imprinted matrices (NAIMs) is a new approach, derived from the molecularly imprinted polymer approach, in which nanoparticles are imprinted instead of molecules. NAIMs require the preparation of thin films in which nanoparticles are embedded, followed by the triggered release of the template, i.e., the nanoparticles, to form voids. The matrix imprinted with voids is subsequently used for the selective reuptake of nanoparticles similar to those used in the imprinting procedure. We will demonstrate two approaches for developing NAIMs. The first is based on the Langmuir–Blodgett method, which involves monolayers of cellulose acetate accommodating Au nanoparticles stabilized with dodecanethiol (AuNPs/C12) [1]. The second comprises the electrodeposition of sol-gel thin films with Au nanoparticles stabilized with citrate [2]. Electrochemistry was used to quantify the reuptake process. We will demonstrate how to control the thickness of the layers, which has a crucial effect on the reuptake process of Au nanoparticles after their removal. We will also show the importance of these structures for selectively recognizing the removed nanoparticles.

 

[1]     N. Bruchiel-Spanier and D. Mandler, Nanoparticle-Imprinted Polymers: Shell-Selective Recognition of Au Nanoparticles by Imprinting Using the Langmuir–Blodgett Method, ChemElectroChem 2 (2015), 795-802.

[2]     N. Bruchiel-Spanier and D. Mandler, Preparing Nanoparticle Imprinted Matrices Containing Au-NPs and Sol-Gel Using the Electrochemical Method, in preparation.