Issue 15, 2015

In situ nanoparticle sizing with zeptomole sensitivity

Abstract

We present the basis for an entirely new approach to in situ nanoparticle sizing. Nanoparticles containing just 12 zeptomoles (1 zeptomole = 10−21 moles) of silver, are detected via in situ particle coulometry. These stochastic charge measurements correspond to the transfer of only 7000–8000 electrons, yielding direct information relating to the individual nanoparticle volumes. The resulting particle size distribution (average equivalent radius 5 nm) obtained via nanoparticle coulometry is in excellent correspondence with that attained from TEM analysis. Moreover, the measurable particle size limit by this electrochemical method is shown to be significantly below that of more common optical nanoparticle tracking techniques, and as such can be viewed as a potential disruptive nano-technology.

Graphical abstract: In situ nanoparticle sizing with zeptomole sensitivity

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
09 Mar 2015
Accepted
24 May 2015
First published
27 May 2015

Analyst, 2015,140, 5048-5054

Author version available

In situ nanoparticle sizing with zeptomole sensitivity

C. Batchelor-McAuley, J. Ellison, K. Tschulik, P. L. Hurst, R. Boldt and R. G. Compton, Analyst, 2015, 140, 5048 DOI: 10.1039/C5AN00474H

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements