Microfluidic-Aerosol Hyphenated Synthesis of Metal-Organic Framework-Derived Hybrid Catalysts for CO2 Utilization

A new and efficient technique is developed by combining the hyphenated microfluidic- and aerosol-based synthesis with the coupled differential mobility analysis for the effective and continuous synthesis and simultaneous analysis of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)-derived hybrid nanostructured products. HKUST-1, a copper-based MOF, is chosen as the representative to fabricate Cu-based hybrid catalysts for reverse water-gas shift (RWGS) reaction, an effective route for CO2 utilization. The effect of precursor concentration and carrier selection on the properties of the resulting products, including mobility size distribution, crystallization degree, surface area, and metal dispersion are investigated, as well as the correlation between the material properties of the synthesized catalysts and their catalytic performance in RWGS reaction in terms of conversion ratio/rate, selectivity, and operational stability. The results indicate that the continuous microfluidic droplet system can successfully synthesize MOF colloids, followed by the continuous production of MOF-derived hybrid materials through the tandem aerosol spray-drying-reaction system. High catalytic activity and low initiate temperature toward RWGS (turnover frequency = 0.0074 s-1; 450 °C) are achievable. The work facilitates the production and the designed concept of relevant MOF-derived hybrid nanostructured catalysts in the continuous synthesis system and the enhancement of applications in CO2 capture and utilization.

Exploring the Challenges of Calcium Looping Integrated with Methane Bireforming for Enhanced Carbon Capture and Utilization

The urgent need to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change has driven research in carbon capture and utilization (CCU) technologies. Among these, calcium looping (CaL) has emerged as a prominent candidate for CO2 capture. This study aimed to explore the novel integration of CaL with methane bireforming (BRM) using CaO-Ni/CeO2 as dual-function material (DFM) and investigated the challenges and opportunities associated with the process. Implementing a calcium looping-bireforming (CaL-BRM) process revealed distinct differences compared to methane dry reforming (DRM). Notably, methane conversion occurred at higher temperatures, likely due to competition with the formation of Ca(OH)2. Meanwhile, the conversion of CO2 was delayed, possibly because hydroxide species on the CaO surfaces hindered the availability of CO2 for methane reforming. To address these challenges, Ni/CeO2 and CaO-Ni/CeO2 catalysts were employed in conventional catalytic gas-phase BRM and methane steam reforming (SRM) reactions. The results demonstrated that the presence of CaO significantly influenced BRM efficiency due to the Ca(OH)2 formation, as was evident by the results of the characterization on the postreaction catalysts and the parallel study of SRM. This study contributes valuable insights into the feasibility and potential of CaL-BRM, advancing the development of sustainable CCU technologies.

Real-Time Quantifying Microdroplet Synthesis of Metal-Organic Framework Colloids Using Gas-Phase Electrophoresis

A hyphenated electrospray-differential mobility analysis (ES-DMA) was developed for providing a high-resolution, real-time quantitative analysis on the metal-organic framework (MOF) colloids produced via the concept of microfluidic flow chemistry. Zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 was chosen as the representative MOF of the study. The results show that the physical size and number concentration of the MOF colloid were successfully characterized by the hyphenated ES-DMA during the microdroplet synthetic process, with 3 nm and 4% of measurement uncertainties, respectively. The effects of the synthetic temperature and the molar ratio of the organic linker to metal precursor were investigated, providing an opportunity for accurate control on the particle size (100-200 nm) of the microdroplet-synthesized MOF. The work demonstrates a powerful approach for the real-time quality assurance and material optimization in microdroplet synthesis of colloidal MOFs.

Design of Aerosol Nanoparticles for Interfacial Catalysis

Interest in multifunctional nanoparticles is currently rising due to the increasing demand in green energy and environmental applications. The aerosol-based synthetic route emerges as a promising method for enabling the fabrication of multifunctional nanoparticles in a continuous and scalable manner. Meanwhile, interfacial catalysis is receiving great attention to enhance the performance of chemical reactions. In this regard, the utilization of aerosol nanoparticles is highly beneficial to the catalysis field by the creation of strong metal-support-promoter interactions for promoting interfacial catalysis. In this Perspective, aerosol-based synthesis of hybrid nanoparticles is briefly discussed. In addition, the interfacial catalysis of CO oxidation, methane combustion, CO₂ hydrogenation, and dry reforming of methane are discussed to provide fundamental insights and concepts for the rational design of nanocatalysts with efficient interfaces.

Understanding Solvothermal Growth of Metal-Organic Framework Colloids for CO2 Capture Applications

A quantitative study of the synthesis of metal-organic framework (MOF) colloids via a solvothermal growth process was demonstrated using electrospray-differential mobility analysis (ES-DMA), a gas-phase electrophoresis approach. HKUST-1, a copper-based MOF (Cu-MOF), was selected as the representative MOF of the study. The effects of the synthetic parameters, including ligand concentration (C_BTC), synthetic temperature (T_s), and synthetic time (t_s) versus material properties of the Cu-MOF, were successfully characterized based on the mobility size distributions measured by ES-DMA. The results show that the mobility size of Cu-MOF was proportional to T_s, t_s, and C_BTC during the solvothermal growth. X-ray diffraction and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analyses were employed complementarily to the ES-DMA, confirming that the increase in mobility size of Cu-MOF was correlated to the increase in crystallinity (i.e., larger specific surface area and crystallite size). The results of CO₂ pulse adsorption show that the synthesized Cu-MOF possessed a good CO₂ adsorption ability under 1 atm, 35 °C, and the cumulative amount of CO₂ uptake was proportional to the measured mobility size of Cu-MOF. The work provides a proof of concept for the controlled synthesis of MOF colloids with the support of gas-phase electrophoretic analysis, and the quantitative methodology is useful for the development of MOF-based applications in CO₂ capture and utilization.

Assembly and Detachment of Hyaluronic Acid on a Protein-Conjugated Gold Nanoparticle

The assembly-disassembly of hyaluronic acid (HA) with a bovine serum albumin-conjugated gold nanoparticle (BSA-AuNP) was demonstrated using a gas-phase electrophoresis approach, electrospray-differential mobility analysis (ES-DMA). Physical sizes, number and mass concentrations, and degrees of aggregation of HA, BSA, and AuNP were successfully quantified using ES-DMA hyphenated with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy was employed complementarily for an orthogonal characterization of the assembly of HA with BSA-AuNP and the subsequent HA detachment. The results show that the surface packing density of HA on BSA-AuNP was proportional to the concentration of HA (C_HA) when C_HA ≤ 5 × 10^-3 μmol/L, and the equilibrium binding constant of HA on BSA-AuNP was identified as ≈ 4 × 10⁵ L/mol at pH 3. The pH-sensitive and enzyme-induced detachments of HA from BSA-AuNP were both successfully characterized using ES-DMA and ATR-FTIR. In the absence of enzymatic catalysis, the rate constant of HA detachment (k) was shown to increase by at least 3.7 times on adjusting the environmental acidity from pH 3 to pH 7. A significant enzyme-induced HA detachment was identified at pH 7, showing a remarkable increase of k by at least two times in the presence of an enzyme. This work provides a proof of concept for assembly of HA-based hybrid colloidal nanomaterials through the tuning of surface chemistry in the aqueous phase with the ability of in situ quantitative characterization, which has shown promise for the development of a variety of HA-derivative biomedical applications (e.g., drug delivery).

Bimetallic Metal-Organic Framework-Derived Hybrid Nanostructures as High-Performance Catalysts for Methane Dry Reforming

Syngas, consisting of equimolar CO and H₂, is an important feedstock for large-scale production of a wide range of commodity chemicals including aldehyde, methanol, ammonia, and other oxygenated chemicals. Dry reforming of methane (DRM), proceeding by reacting greenhouse gases, CO₂ and CH₄, at high temperatures in the presence of a metal catalyst, is considered one of the most environmentally friendly routes for syngas production. Nevertheless, nonprecious metal-based catalysts, which can operate at relatively low temperatures for high product yields and selectivities, are required to drive the DRM process for industrial applications effectively. Here, we developed NiCo@C nanocomposites from a corresponding NiCo-based bimetallic metal-organic framework (MOF) to serve as high-performance catalysts for the DRM process, achieving high turnover frequencies (TOF) at low temperatures (>5.7 s^-1 at 600 °C) and high product selectivities (H₂/CO = 0.9 at 700 °C). The incorporation of Co in Ni catalysts improves the operation stability and light-off stability. The present development for MOF-derived nanocomposites opens a new horizon for design of DRM catalysts.

Silver Nanoparticles-Decorating Manganese Oxide Hybrid Nanostructures for Supercapacitor Applications

A facile aerosol-based synthetic approach is demonstrated for the fabrication of silver-manganese oxide (Ag-MnO_x) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)-templated silver-manganese oxide (c-Ag-MnO_x) hybrid nanostructures as the positive electrode materials of supercapacitors. Through gas-phase evaporation-induced self-assembly, silver nanoparticles are homogeneously decorated in the hybrid nanostructure to create a conductive path at the interface of the cluster of MnO_x crystallites. The utilization of the capacitance of MnO_x increases by the addition of Ag nanoparticles (>2 times for Ag-MnO_x and ∼1.7 times for c-Ag-MnO_x). An optimal specific capacitance is achieved when the concentration of the silver precursor (C_Ag) is 0.5 wt %, 118 F g^-1 for Ag-MnO_x, and 154 F g^-1 for c-Ag-MnO_x at a specific current of 1 A g^-1. The enhanced supercapacitive performance by the addition of CTAB at low C_Ag is attributed to the increased surface area (>19.4%) for electrochemical reactions. The prototype method with mechanistic understanding demonstrated in this study shows promise for the fabrication of a variety of MnO_x-based hybrid nanostructures for supercapacitor applications.

A facile quantification of hyaluronic acid and its crosslinking using gas-phase electrophoresis

We report a facile, high-resolution approach to quantitatively characterize hyaluronic acid (HA) and study its crosslinking reaction using electrospray-differential mobility analysis (ES-DMA). Mobility size distributions, number concentrations, molecular mass distributions, and polydispersity index of HAs were obtained successfully via a rapid analysis by ES-DMA (< 30 min). The limit of detection, the limit of quantification, and the precision of the mobility size measurement achieve 2.5 nm, 4.0 nm, and 0.3 nm, respectively. Size exclusion chromatography (SEC) was employed as an orthogonal approach, showing that the averaged molecular mass and polydispersity index of HA measured by ES-DMA were close to the results of SEC on a semi-quantitative basis. The 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDDE)-induced crosslinking of HA was also able to be successfully characterized through a time-dependent study using ES-DMA, which has shown the promise of direct analysis of solution-based reactions. Both the extent and the rate of HA crosslinking (induced by BDDE) were proportional to reaction temperature and concentration ratio of HA to BDDE. The activation energy of the reaction-limited BDDE-induced crosslinking of HA was found to be ≈ 21 kJ/mol. The prototype study demonstrates ES-DMA as a new method for a rapid quantitative characterization of HA and its derivative product and providing a capability of real-time monitoring of the HA crosslinking during formulation process. Graphical abstract.

Aerosol-Based Self-Assembly of a Ag-ZnO Hybrid Nanoparticle Cluster with Mechanistic Understanding for Enhanced Photocatalysis

A gas-phase-controlled synthetic approach is demonstrated to fabricate Ag-ZnO hybrid nanostructure as a high-performance catalyst for photodegradation of water pollutants. The degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) was used as representative, which were tested and evaluated with respect to the environmental pH and the presence of dodecyl sulfate corona on the surface of the catalyst. The results show that a raspberry-structure Ag-ZnO hybrid nanoparticle cluster was successfully synthesized via gas-phase evaporation-induced self-assembly. The photodegradation activity increased significantly (20×) by using the Ag-ZnO hybrid nanoparticle cluster as a catalyst. A surge of catalytic turnover frequency of ZnO nanoparticle cluster (>20×) was observed through the hybridization with silver nanoparticles. The dodecyl sulfate corona increased the photocatalytic activity of the Ag-ZnO hybrid nanoparticle cluster, especially at the acidic and neutral pH environments (maximum 6×), and the enhancement in catalytic activity was attributed to the improved colloidal stability of ZnO-based nanoparticle cluster under the interaction with RhB. Our work provides a generic route of facile synthesis of the Ag-ZnO hybrid nanoparticle cluster with a mechanistic understanding of the interface reaction for enhancing photocatalysis toward the degradation of water pollutants.

Thermal Stability of Metal-Organic Frameworks and Encapsulation of CuO Nanocrystals for Highly Active Catalysis

We report an aerosol-based approach to study the thermal stability of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for gas-phase synthesis of MOF-based hybrid nanostructures used for highly active catalysis. Temperature-programmed electrospray-differential mobility analysis (TP-ES-DMA) provides the characterization of temperature-dependent morphological change directly in the gas phase, and the results are shown to be highly correlated with the structural thermal stability of MOFs determined by the traditional measurements of porosity and crystallinity. The results show that MOFs underwent thermal decomposition via simultaneous disassembly and deaggregation. Trimeric Cr-based MIL-88B-NH₂ exhibited a higher temperature of decomposition ( T_d), 350 °C, than trimeric Fe-based MIL-88B-NH₂, 250 °C. For UiO-66, a significant decrease of T_d by ≈100 °C was observed by using amine-functionalized ligands in the MOF structure. Copper oxide nanocrystals were successfully encapsulated in the UiO-66 crystal (Cu _xO@UiO-66) by using a gas-phase evaporation-induced self-assembly approach followed by a suitable thermal treatment below T_d (i.e., determined by TP-ES-DMA). Cu _xO@UiO-66 demonstrated a very high catalytic activity and stability to CO oxidation, showing at least a 3-time increase in CO conversion compared to the bare CuO nanoparticle samples. The study demonstrates a prototype methodology (1) to determine structural thermal stability of MOFs using a gas-phase electrophoretic method (TP-ES-DMA) and (2) to gas-phase synthesize CuO nanocrystals encapsulated in MOFs.

Surface Modification of Cisplatin-Complexed Gold Nanoparticles and Its Influence on Colloidal Stability, Drug Loading, and Drug Release

Cisplatin-complexed gold nanoparticles (Pt^II-AuNP) provide a promising strategy for chemo-radiation-based anticancer drugs. Effective design of such platforms necessitates reliable assessment of surface engineering on a quantitative basis and its influence on drug payload, stability, and release. In this paper, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-stabilized Pt^II-AuNP was synthesized as a model antitumor drug platform, where Pt^II is attached via a carboxyl-terminated dendron ligand. Surface modification by PEG and its influence on drug loading, colloidal stability, and drug release were assessed. Complexation with Pt^II significantly degrades colloidal stability of the conjugate; however, PEGylation provides substantial improvement of stability in conjunction with an insignificant trade-off in drug loading capacity compared with the non-PEGylated control (<20% decrease in loading capacity). In this context, the effect of varying PEG concentration and molar mass was investigated. On a quantitative basis, the extent of PEGylation was characterized and its influence on dispersion stability and drug load was examined using electrospray differential mobility analysis (ES-DMA) hyphenated with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and compared with attenuated total reflectance-FTIR. Using ES-DMA-ICP-MS, AuNP conjugates were size-classified based on their electrical mobility, while Pt^II loading was simultaneously quantified by determination of Pt mass. Colloidal stability was quantitatively evaluated in biologically relevant media. Finally, the pH-dependent Pt^II release performance was evaluated. We observed 9% and 16% Pt^II release at drug loadings of 0.5 and 1.9 Pt^II/nm², respectively. The relative molar mass of PEG had no significant influence on Pt^II uptake or release performance, while PEGylation substantially improved the colloidal stability of the conjugate. Notably, the Pt^II release over 10 days (examined at 0.5 Pt^II/nm² drug loading) remained constant for non-PEGylated, 1K-PEGylated, and 5K-PEGylated conjugates.

Quantifying Surface Area of Nanosheet Graphene Oxide Colloid Using a Gas-Phase Electrostatic Approach

We demonstrate a new, facile gas-phase electrostatic approach to successfully quantify equivalent surface area of graphene oxide (GO) colloid on a number basis. Mobility diameter (d_p,m)-based distribution and the corresponding equivalent surface area (SA) of GO colloids (i.e., with different lateral aspect ratios) were able to be identified by electrospray-differential mobility analysis (ES-DMA) coupled to a condensation particle counter (CPC) and an aerosol surface area analyzer (ASAA). A correlation of SA ∝ d_p,m^2.0 was established using the ES-DMA-CPC/ASAA, which is consistent with the observation by the 2-dimensional image analysis of size-selected GOs. An ultrafast surface area measurement of GO colloid was achieved via a direct coupling of ES with a combination of ASAA and CPC (i.e., measurement time was 2 min per sample; without size classification). The measured equivalent surface area of GO was ∼202 ± 7 m² g^-1, which is comparable to Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area, ∼240 ± 59 m² g^-1. The gas-phase electrostatic approach proposed in this study has the superior advantages of being fast, requiring no elaborate drying process, and requiring only a very small amount of sample (i.e., <0.01 mg). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study of using an aerosol-based electrostatic coupling technique to obtain the equivalent surface area of graphene oxide on a number basis with a high precision of measurement.

Structure and Dynamics of Bimodal Colloidal Dispersions in a Low-Molecular-Weight Polymer Solution

We present an experimental study of the structural and dynamical properties of bimodal, micrometer-sized colloidal dispersions (size ratio ≈ 2) in an aqueous solution of low-molecular-weight polymer (polyethylene glycol 2000) using synchrotron ultra-small angle X-ray scattering (USAXS) and USAXS-based X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy. We fixed the volume fraction of the large particles at 5% and systematically increased the volume fraction of the small particles from 0 to 5% to evaluate their effects on the structure and dynamics. The bimodal dispersions were homogenous through the investigated parameter space. We found that the partial structure factors can be satisfactorily retrieved for the bimodal colloidal dispersions using a Percus-Yevick hard-sphere potential when the size distributions of the particles were taken into account. We also found that the partial structure factor between the large particles did not exhibit a significant variation with increasing volume fraction of the small particles, whereas the isothermal compressibility of the binary mixture was found to decrease with increasing volume fraction of the small particles. The dynamics of single-component large-particle dispersion obey the principles of de Gennes narrowing, where the wave vector dependence of the interparticle diffusion coefficient is inversely proportional to the interparticle structure factor. The dynamics of the bimodal dispersions demonstrate a strong dependence on the fraction of small particles. We also made a comparison between the experimental effective dynamic viscosity of the bimodal dispersion with the theoretical predictions, which suggest that the complex mutual interactions between the large and small particles have a strong effect on the dynamic behaviors of bimodal dispersions.

Gas-phase self-assembly of uniform silica nanostructures decorated and doped with silver nanoparticles

We report a systematic study of the controlled gas-phase synthesis of silver-silica hybrid nanostructures (Ag-SiO₂ NP) using the concept of evaporation-induced self-assembly. The approach includes the use of a direct gas-phase electrophoresis for size classification and in situ characterization of mobility size. Transmission electron microscopy and ultraviolet-visible light spectroscopy were employed complementarily to determine the morphology and surface plasmon resonance of Ag-SiO₂ NP. Results show that two types of Ag-SiO₂ NPs were successfully synthesized: (1) AgNPs decorated on a SiO₂-NP (Ag-T-SiO₂ NP), and (2) AgNPs doped in a cluster of SiO₂-NPs (Ag-C-SiO₂ NP). The physical size, morphology, and compositions of Ag-SiO₂ NPs were tunable through the adjustments of precursor concentrations and the selected mobility sizes. The results also show that SPR performance, colloidal stability, and dispersibility of AgNPs enhanced significantly in an aqueous environment after the hybridization with SiO₂-NP (especially for Ag-C-SiO₂ NP). The results and corresponding methodology summarized here provide the proof of concept to fabricate high-purity AgNP-based hybrid nanostructures through gas-phase evaporation-induced self-assembly for future biomedical applications (e.g., hyperthermal therapy, targeted drug delivery, and antibacterial applications).

Noble metal-titania hybrid nanoparticle clusters and the interaction to proteins for photo-catalysis in aqueous environments

We report a systematic study of the controlled synthesis of new hybrid spherical TiO₂ nanoparticle cluster (TiO₂-NPC) homogeneously decorated with noble metal nanoparticles (NPs) by gas-phase evaporation-induced self-assembly. Silver NP (AgNP) was used as the representative noble metal NP. The degradation of methyl blue (MB) in the aqueous solution was chosen as the representative system for the study of photocatalysis, which were tested and evaluated with respect to irradiation conditions and the presence of bovine serum albumin (BSA). The results show that particle size and chemical composition of the hybrid nanostructure were tunable by choosing the suitable concentration of precursors. The photocatalytic activity of AgNP-decorated TiO₂-NPC was strongly affected by the light irradiation and the ligand-nanoparticle interfacial interaction. The presence of BSA influenced molecular conjugation to the surface of the hybrid nanostructure. Under conditions of simultaneous competitive adsorption of MB and BSA, the combination of AgNPs improved the photocatalytic activity of the TiO₂-NPC-based catalysts. Our work describes a prototype methodology to fabricate TiO₂-NPC homogeneously decorated with noble metal NPs with well-controlled material properties. The mechanistic understanding developed in this study can be useful for the future optimization of material properties of hybrid nanostructures versus interfacial interactions with the surrounding molecules.

Surface PEGylation of Silver Nanoparticles: Kinetics of Simultaneous Surface Dissolution and Molecular Desorption

A quantitative study of the stability of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) conjugated with thiolated polyethylene glycol (SH-PEG) was conducted using gas-phase ion-mobility and mass analyses. The extents of aggregation and surface dissolution of AgNPs, as well as the amount of SH-PEG adsorption and desorption, were able to be characterized simultaneously for the kinetic study. The results show that the SH-PEG with a molecular mass of 6 kg/mol (SH-PEG6K) was able to adsorb to the surface of AgNP to form PEG6K-HS-AgNP conjugates, with the maximum surface adsorbate density of ∼0.10 nm(-2). The equilibrium binding constant for SH-PEG6K on AgNPs was calculated as ∼(4.4 ± 0.9) × 10(5) L/mol, suggesting a strong affinity due to thiol bonding to the AgNP surface. The formation of SH-PEG6K corona prevented PEG6K-HS-AgNP conjugates from aggregation under the acidic environment (pH 1.5), but dissolution of core AgNPs occurred following a first-order reaction. The rate constant of Ag dissolution from PEG6K-HS-AgNP was independent of the starting surface packing density of SH-PEG6K on AgNP (σ0), indicating that the interactions of H(+) with core AgNP were not interfered by the presence of SH-PEG6K corona. The surface packing density of SH-PEG6K decreased simultaneously following a first-order reaction, and the desorption rate constant of SH-PEG6K from the conjugates was proportional to σ0. Our work presents the first quantitative study to illustrate the complex mechanism that involves simultaneous aggregation and dissolution of core AgNPs in combination with adsorption and desorption of SH-PEG. This work also provides a prototype method of coupled experimental scheme to quantify the change of particle mass versus the corresponding surface density of functional molecular species on nanoparticles.

Metal-Organic Framework Colloids: Disassembly and Deaggregation

We demonstrate a high-resolution method as an efficient tool to in situ characterize partially reversible assembly and aggregation of metal-organic framework (MOF) colloids. Based on the gas-phase electrophoresis, the primary size and the degree of aggregation of the MOF-525 crystals are tunable by pH adjustment and mobility selection. These findings allow for the further size control of MOF colloids and prove the capability of semiquantitative analysis for the MOF-based platforms in a variety of aqueous formulations (e.g., biomedical applications).

Assembly of functional gold nanoparticle on silica microsphere

We demonstrate a controlled synthesis of silica microsphere with the surface-decorated functional gold nanoparticles. Surface of silica microsphere was modified by 3-aminopropypltriethoxysilane and 3-aminopropyldimethylethoxysilane to generate a positive electric field, by which the gold nanoparticles with the negative charges (unconjugated, thiolated polyethylene glycol functionalized with the traceable packing density and conformation) were able to be attracted to the silica microsphere. Results show that both the molecular conjugation on gold nanoparticle and the uniformity in the amino-silanization of silica microsphere influenced the loading and the homogeneity of gold nanoparticles on silica microsphere. The 3-aminopropyldimethylethoxysilane-functionalized silica microsphere provided an uniform field to attract gold nanoparticles. Increasing the ethanol content in aminosilane solution significantly improved the homogeneity and the loading of gold nanoparticles on the surface of silica microsphere. For the gold nanoparticle, increasing the molecular mass of polyethylene glycol yielded a greater homogeneity but a lower loading on silica microsphere. Bovine serum albumin induced the desorption of gold nanoparticles from silica microsphere, where the extent of desorption was suppressed by the presence of high-molecular mass polyethylene glycol on gold nanoparticles. This work provides the fundamental understanding for the synthesis of gold nanoparticle-silica microsphere constructs useful to the applications in chemo-radioactive therapeutics.

Protein-silver nanoparticle interactions to colloidal stability in acidic environments

We report a kinetic study of Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) under acidic environments (i.e., pH 2.3 to pH ≈7) and systematically investigate the impact of protein interactions [i.e., bovine serum albumin (BSA) as representative] to the colloidal stability of AgNPs. Electrospray-differential mobility analysis (ES-DMA) was used to characterize the particle size distributions and the number concentrations of AgNPs. Transmission electron microscopy was employed orthogonally to provide visualization of AgNPs. For unconjugated AgNPs, the extent of aggregation, or the average particle size, was shown to be increased significantly with an increase of acidity, where a partial coalescence was found between the primary particles of unconjugated AgNP clusters. Aggregation rate constant, kD, was also shown to be proportional to acidity, following a correlation of log(kD) = -1.627(pH)-9.3715. Using ES-DMA, we observe BSA had a strong binding affinity (equilibrium binding constant, ≈ 1.1 × 10(6) L/mol) to the surface of AgNPs, with an estimated maximum molecular surface density of ≈0.012 nm(-2). BSA-functionalized AgNPs exhibited highly-improved colloidal stability compared to the unconjugated AgNPs under acidic environments, where both the acid-induced interfacial dissolution and the particle aggregation became negligible. Results confirm a complex mechanism of colloidal stability of AgNPs: the aggregation process was shown to be dominant, and the formation of BSA corona on AgNPs suppressed both particle aggregation and interfacial dissolution of AgNP samples under acidic environments.

Controlled formation and characterization of dithiothreitol-conjugated gold nanoparticle clusters

We report a systematic study of the controlled formation of discrete-sized gold nanoparticle clusters (GNCs) by interaction with the reducing agent dithiothreitol (DTT). Asymmetric-flow field flow fractionation and electrospray differential mobility analysis were employed complementarily to determine the particle size distributions of DTT-conjugated GNCs (DTT-GNCs). Transmission electron microscopy was used to provide visualization of DTT-GNCs at different states of aggregation. Surface packing density of DTT and the corresponding molecular conformation on the Au surface were characterized by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Results show that DTT increases the aggregation rate of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) up to ≈100 times. A mixed conformation (i.e., combining vertically aligned, horizontally aligned, and cross-linking modes) exists for DTT on the Au surface for all conditions examined. The primary size of AuNPs, concentration of DTT, and the starting concentration of AuNPs influence the degree of aggregation for DTT-GNCs, indicating that the collision frequency, energy barrier, and surface density of DTT are the key factors that control the aggregation rate. DTT-GNCs exhibit improved structural stability compared to the citrate-stabilized GNCs (i.e., unconjugated) following reaction with thiolated polyethylene glycol (SH-PEG), indicating that cross-linking and surface protection by DTT suppresses disaggregation normally induced by the steric repulsion of SH-PEG. This work describes a prototype methodology to form ligand-conjugated GNCs with high-quality and well-controlled material properties.

Temperature-programmed electrospray-differential mobility analysis for characterization of ligated nanoparticles in complex media

An electrospray-differential mobility analyzer (ES-DMA) was operated with an aerosol flow-mode, temperature-programmed approach to enhance its ability to characterize the particle size distributions (PSDs) of nanoscale particles (NPs) in the presence of adsorbed and free ligands. Titanium dioxide NPs (TiO2-NPs) stabilized by citric acid (CA) or bovine serum albumin (BSA) were utilized as representative systems. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry were used to provide visual information and elemental-based PSDs, respectively. Results show that the interference resulting from electrospray-dried nonvolatile salt residual nanoscale particles (S-NPs) could be effectively reduced using the thermal treatment process: PSDs were accurately measured at temperatures above 200 °C for CA-stabilized TiO2-NPs and above 400 °C for BSA-stabilized TiO2-NPs. Moreover, TEM confirmed the volumetric shrinkage of S-NPs due to thermal treatment and also showed that the primary structure of TiO2-NPs was relatively stable over the temperature range studied (i.e., below 700 °C). Conversely, the shape factor for TiO2-NPs decreased after treatment above 500 °C, possibly due to a change in the secondary (aggregate) structure. S-NPs from BSA-stabilized TiO2-NPs exhibited higher global activation energies toward induced volumetric shrinkage than those of CA-stabilized TiO2-NPs, suggesting that activation energy is dependent on ligand size. This prototype study demonstrates the efficacy of using ES-DMA coupled with thermal treatment for characterizing the physical state of NPs, even in a complex medium (e.g., containing plasma proteins) and in the presence of particle agglomerates induced by interaction with binding ligands.

Quantitative analysis of dendron-conjugated cisplatin-complexed gold nanoparticles using scanning particle mobility mass spectrometry

We report a high-resolution and traceable method to quantify the drug loading on nanoparticle-based cancer therapeutics, and demonstrate this method using a model cisplatin functionalized dendron-gold nanoparticle (AuNP) conjugate. Electrospray differential mobility analysis (ES-DMA) provides upstream size classification based on the electrical mobility of AuNP conjugates in aerosol form following electrospray conversion from the aqueous suspension. A condensation particle counter (CPC) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) provide the principal downstream quantification. CPC and ICP-MS yield complementary number-based and elemental mass-based particle size distributions, respectively. Conjugation using three different dendron formulations was differentiated based on changes in the mean mobility particle size. The subsequent cisplatin complexation to the dendron conjugates was quantified by coupling ES-DMA with ICP-MS. Discrete AuNP clusters (e.g., dimers, trimers) could be resolved from the relative quantity of atoms (i.e., Au and Pt) per particle after separation by ES-DMA. Surface density of cisplatin on Au was shown to be proportional to the density of carboxylic groups present and was independent of the state of AuNP clustering. Additionally, we found that colloidal stability of the conjugate is inversely proportional to the surface loading of cisplatin. This study demonstrates a prototype methodology to provide traceable quantification and to determine other important formulation factors relevant to therapeutic performance.

Surface-engineered nanomaterials as X-ray absorbing adjuvant agents for Auger-mediated chemo-radiation

We report a prototype approach to formulate gold nanoparticle-based X-ray absorbing agents through surface-engineering of a cisplatin pharmacophore with modified polyacrylate. The resulting agents exhibit both chemo-therapeutic potency to cancer cells and Auger-mediated secondary electron emission, showing great potential to improve the therapeutic efficacy of chemo-radiation.

Real-time size discrimination and elemental analysis of gold nanoparticles using ES-DMA coupled to ICP-MS

We report the development of a hyphenated instrument with the capacity to quantitatively characterize aqueous suspended gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) based on a combination of gas-phase size separation, particle counting, and elemental analysis. A customized electrospray-differential mobility analyzer (ES-DMA) was used to achieve real-time upstream size discrimination. A condensation particle counter and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) were employed as downstream detectors, providing information on number density and elemental composition, respectively, of aerosolized AuNPs versus the upstream size selected by ES-DMA. A gas-exchange device was designed and optimized to improve the conversion of air flow (from the electrospray) to argon flow required to sustain the ICP-MS plasma, the key compatibility issue for instrumental hyphenation. Our work provides the proof of concept and a working prototype for utilizing this construct to successfully measure (1) number- and mass-based distributions; (2) elemental compositions of nanoparticles classified by size, where the size classification and elemental analysis are performed within a single experiment; (3) particle concentrations in both solution (before size discrimination) and aerosol (after size discrimination) phases; and (4) the number of atoms per nanoparticle or the nanoparticle density.

Quantifying dithiothreitol displacement of functional ligands from gold nanoparticles

Dithiothreitol (DTT)-based displacement is widely utilized for separating ligands from their gold nanoparticle (AuNP) conjugates, a critical step for differentiating and quantifying surface-bound functional ligands and therefore the effective surface density of these species on nanoparticle-based therapeutics and other functional constructs. The underlying assumption is that DTT is smaller and much more reactive toward gold compared with most ligands of interest, and as a result will reactively displace the ligands from surface sites thereby enabling their quantification. In this study, we use complementary dimensional and spectroscopic methods to characterize the efficiency of DTT displacement. Thiolated methoxypolyethylene glycol (SH-PEG) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were chosen as representative ligands. Results clearly show that (1) DTT does not completely displace bound SH-PEG or BSA from AuNPs, and (2) the displacement efficiency is dependent on the binding affinity between the ligands and the AuNP surface. Additionally, the displacement efficiency for conjugated SH-PEG is moderately dependent on the molecular mass (yielding efficiencies ranging from 60 to 80% measured by ATR-FTIR and ≈90% by ES-DMA), indicating that the displacement efficiency for SH-PEG is predominantly determined by the S-Au bond. BSA is particularly difficult to displace with DTT (i.e., the displacement efficiency is nearly zero) when it is in the so-called normal form. The displacement efficiency for BSA improves to 80% when it undergoes a conformational change to the expanded form through a process of pH change or treatment with a surfactant. An analysis of the three-component system (SH-PEG + BSA + AuNP) indicates that the presence of SH-PEG decreases the displacement efficiency for BSA, whereas the displacement efficiency for SH-PEG is less impacted by the presence of BSA.

Tumor necrosis factor interaction with gold nanoparticles

We report on a systematic investigation of molecular conjugation of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF) protein onto gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and the subsequent binding behavior to its antibody (anti-TNF). We employ a combination of physical and spectroscopic characterization methods, including electrospray-differential mobility analysis, dynamic light scattering, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, fluorescence assay, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The native TNF used in this study exists in the active homotrimer configuration prior to conjugation. After binding to AuNPs, the maximum surface density of TNF is (0.09 ± 0.02) nm(-2) with a binding constant of 3 × 10(6) (mol L(-1))(-1). Dodecyl sulfate ions induce desorption of monomeric TNF from the AuNP surface, indicating a relatively weak intermolecular binding within the AuNP-bound TNF trimers. Anti-TNF binds to both TNF-conjugated and citrate-stabilized AuNPs, showing that non-specific binding is significant. Based on the number of anti-TNF molecules adsorbed, a substantially higher binding affinity was observed for the TNF-conjugated surface. The inclusion of thiolated polyethylene glycol (SH-PEG) on the AuNPs inhibits the binding of anti-TNF, and the amount of inhibition is related to the number ratio of surface bound SH-PEG to TNF and the way in which the ligands are introduced. This study highlights the challenges in quantitatively characterizing complex hybrid nanoscale conjugates, and provides insight on TNF-AuNP formation and activity.

Quantitative determination of competitive molecular adsorption on gold nanoparticles using attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

Surface-sensitive quantitative studies of competitive molecular adsorption on nanoparticles were conducted using a modified attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy method. Adsorption isotherms for thiolated poly(ethylene glycol) (SH-PEG) on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as a function of molecular mass (1, 5, and 20 kDa) were characterized. We find that surface density of SH-PEG on AuNPs is inversely proportional to the molecular mass (M(m)). Equilibrium binding constants for SH-PEG, obtained using the Langmuir adsorption model, show the binding affinity for SH-PEG is proportional to M(m). Simultaneous competitive adsorption between mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) and 5 kDa SH-PEG (SH-PEG5K) was investigated, and we find that MPA concentration is the dominant factor influencing the surface density of both SH-PEG5K and MPA, whereas the concentration of SH-PEG5K affects only SH-PEG5K surface density. Electrospray differential mobility analysis (ES-DMA) was employed as an orthogonal characterization technique. ES-DMA results are consistent with the results obtained by ATR-FTIR, confirming our conclusions about the adsorption process in this system. Ligand displacement competitive adsorption, where the displacing molecular species is added after completion of the ligand surface binding, was also interrogated by ATR-FTIR. Results indicate that for SH-PEG increasing M(m) yields greater stability on AuNPs when measured against displacement by bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a model serum protein. In addition, the binding affinity of BSA to AuNPs is inhibited for SH-PEG conjugated AuNPs, an effect that is enhanced at higher SH-PEG M(m) values.

Probing the nucleus model for oligomer formation during insulin amyloid fibrillogenesis

We find evidence for a direct transition of insulin monomers into amyloid fibrils without measurable concentrations of oligomers or protofibrils, suggesting that fibrillogenesis may occur directly from assembly of denaturing insulin monomers rather than by successive transitions through protofibril nuclei. To support our finding, we obtain size distributions using electrospray differential mobility analysis (ES-DMA), which provides excellent resolution to clearly distinguish among small oligomers and rapidly generates statistically significant size distributions. The distributions detect an absence of significant peaks between 6 nm and 17 nm as the monomer reacts into fibers-exactly the size range observed by others for small-angle-neutron-scattering-measured intermediates and for circular supramolecular structures. They report concentrations in the nanomolar range, whereas our limit of detection remains three-orders-of-magnitude lower (<5 pmol/L). This finding, along with the lack of significant increases in the β-sheet content of monomers using circular dichroism, suggests monomers do not first structurally rearrange and accumulate in a β-rich state but react and reorganize at the growing fiber's tip. These results quantitatively inform reaction-based theories of amyloid fiber formation and have implications for neurodegenerative, protein conformation ailments including Alzheimer's disease and bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

Adsorption and conformation of serum albumin protein on gold nanoparticles investigated using dimensional measurements and in situ spectroscopic methods

The adsorption and conformation of bovine serum albumin (BSA) on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were interrogated both qualitatively and quantitatively via complementary physicochemical characterization methods. Dynamic light scattering (DLS), asymmetric-flow field flow fractionation (AFFF), fluorescence spectrometry, and attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy were combined to characterize BSA-AuNP conjugates under fluid conditions, while conjugates in the aerosol state were characterized by electrospray-differential mobility analysis (ES-DMA). The presence of unbound BSA molecules interferes with DLS analysis of the conjugates, particularly as the AuNP size decreases (i.e., below 30 nm in diameter). Under conditions where the γ value is high, where γ is defined as the ratio of scattering intensity by AuNPs to the scattering intensity by unbound BSA, DLS size results are consistent with results obtained after fractionation by AFFF. Additionally, the AuNP hydrodynamic size exhibits a greater proportional increase due to BSA conjugation at pH values below 2.5 compared with less acidic pH values (3.4-7.3), corresponding with the reversibly denatured (E or F form) conformation of BSA below pH 2.5. Over the pH range from 3.4 to 7.3, the hydrodynamic size of the conjugate is nearly constant, suggesting conformational stability over this range. Because of the difference in the measurement environment, a larger increase of AuNP size is observed following BSA conjugation when measured in the wet state (i.e., by DLS and AFFF) compared to the dry state (by ES-DMA). Molecular surface density for BSA is estimated based on ES-DMA and fluorescence measurements. Results from the two techniques are consistent and similar, but slightly higher for ES-DMA, with an average adsorbate density of 0.015 nm(-2). Moreover, from the change of particle size, we determine the extent of adsorption for BSA on AuNPs using DLS and ES-DMA at 21 °C, which show that increasing the concentration of BSA increases the measured change in AuNP size. Using ES-DMA, we observe that the BSA surface density reaches 90% of saturation at a solution phase concentration between 10 and 30 μmol/L, which is roughly consistent with fluorescence and ATR-FTIR results. The equilibrium binding constant for BSA on AuNPs is calculated by applying the Langmuir equation, with resulting values ranging from 0.51 × 10(6) to 1.65 × 10(6) L/mol, suggesting a strong affinity due to bonding between the single free exterior thiol on N-form BSA (associated with a cysteine residue) and the AuNP surface. Moreover, the adsorption interaction induces a conformational change in BSA secondary structure, resulting in less α-helix content and more open structures (β-sheet, random, or expanded).

Packing and size determination of colloidal nanoclusters

Here we demonstrate a rapid and quantitative means to characterize the size and packing structure of small clusters of nanoparticles in colloidal suspension. Clustering and aggregation play important roles in a wide variety of phenomena of both scientific and technical importance, yet characterizing the packing of nanoparticles within small clusters and predicting their aerodynamic size remains challenging because available techniques can lack adequate resolution and sensitivity for clusters smaller than 100 nm (optical techniques), perturb the packing arrangement (electron microscopies), or provide only an ensemble average (light scattering techniques). In this article, we use electrospray-differential mobility analysis (ES-DMA), a technique that exerts electrical and drag forces on the clusters, to determine the size and packing of small clusters. We provide an analytical model to determine the mobility size of various packing geometries based on the projected area of the clusters. Data for clusters aggregated from nominally 10 nm gold particles and nonenveloped viruses of various sizes show good agreement between measured and predicted cluster sizes for close-packed spheres.

Competitive adsorption of thiolated polyethylene glycol and mercaptopropionic acid on gold nanoparticles measured by physical characterization methods

Competitive adsorption kinetics between thiolated polyethylene glycol (SH-PEG) and mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) on gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) were studied using a prototype physical characterization approach that combines dynamic light scattering (DLS) and electrospray differential mobility analysis (ES-DMA). The change in hydrodynamic particle size (intensity average) due to the formation of SH-PEG coatings on Au-NPs was measured by DLS in both two-component (Au-NP + MPA or Au-NP + SH-PEG) and three-component (Au-NP +MPA + SH-PEG) systems. ES-DMA was employed to quantify the surface coverage of SH-PEG and establish a correlation between surface coverage and the change in particle size measured by DLS. A change in the equilibrium binding constant for SH-PEG on Au-NPs at various concentrations of SH-PEG and MPA showed that the presence of MPA reduced the binding affinity of SH-PEG to the Au-NP surface. Kinetic studies showed that SH-PEG was desorbed from the Au-NP surface following a second-order desorption model after subsequently introducing MPA. The desorption rate constant of SH-PEG from the Au-NP surface by MPA displacement was strongly affected by the concentration of MPA and the excess SH-PEG in solution.

Length distribution of single-walled carbon nanotubes in aqueous suspension measured by electrospray differential mobility analysis

The first characterization of the length distribution of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) dispersed in a liquid by electrospray differential mobility analysis (ES-DMA) is presented. Although an understanding of geometric properties of SWCNTs, including length, diameter, aspect ratio, and chirality, is essential for commercial applications, rapid characterization of nanotube length distributions remains challenging. Here the use of ES-DMA to obtain length distributions of DNA-wrapped SWCNTs dispersed in aqueous solutions is demonstrated. Lengths measured by ES-DMA compare favorably with those obtained from multiangle light scattering, dynamic light scattering, field flow fractionation with UV/vis detection, and atomic force microscopy, validating ES-DMA as a technique to measure SWCNTs of <250 nm in length. The nanotubes are previously purified and dispersed by wrapping with oligomeric DNA in aqueous solution and centrifuging to remove bundles and amorphous carbon. These dispersions are particularly attractive due to their amenability to bulk processing, ease of storage, high concentration, compatibility with biological and high-throughput manufacturing environments, and for their potential applications ranging from electronics and hydrogen-storage vessels to anticancer agents.

Quantitative characterization of virus-like particles by asymmetrical flow field flow fractionation, electrospray differential mobility analysis, and transmission electron microscopy

Here we characterize virus-like particles (VLPs) by three very distinct, orthogonal, and quantitative techniques: electrospray differential mobility analysis (ES-DMA), asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation with multi-angle light scattering detection (AFFFF-MALS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). VLPs are biomolecular particles assembled from viral proteins with applications ranging from synthetic vaccines to vectors for delivery of gene and drug therapies. VLPs may have polydispersed, multimodal size distributions, where the size distribution can be altered by subtle changes in the production process. These three techniques detect subtle size differences in VLPs derived from the non-enveloped murine polyomavirus (MPV) following: (i) functionalization of the surface of VLPs with an influenza viral peptide fragment; (ii) packaging of foreign protein internally within the VLPs; and (iii) packaging of genomic DNA internally within the VLPs. These results demonstrate that ES-DMA and AFFFF-MALS are able to quantitatively determine VLP size distributions with greater rapidity and statistical significance than TEM, providing useful technologies for product development and process analytics.