Issue 22, 2020

Comparative characterisation of non-monodisperse gold nanoparticle populations by X-ray scattering and electron microscopy

Abstract

Accurate nanoparticle size determination is essential across various research domains, with many functionalities in nanoscience and biomedical research being size-dependent. Although electron microscopy is capable of resolving a single particle down to the sub-nm scale, the reliable representation of entire populations is plagued by challenges in providing statistical significance, suboptimal preparation procedures and operator bias. While alternative techniques exist that provide ensemble information in solution, their implementation is generally challenging for non-monodisperse populations. Herein, we explore the use of small-angle X-ray scattering in combination with form-free Monte Carlo fitting of scattering profiles as an alternative to conventional electron microscopy imaging in providing access to any type of core size distribution. We report on a cross-method comparison for quasi-monodisperse, polydisperse and bimodal gold nanoparticles of 2–7 nm in diameter and discuss advantages and limitations of both techniques.

Graphical abstract: Comparative characterisation of non-monodisperse gold nanoparticle populations by X-ray scattering and electron microscopy

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
06 Nov. 2019
Accepted
28 Apr. 2020
First published
04 Maijs 2020
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Nanoscale, 2020,12, 12007-12013

Comparative characterisation of non-monodisperse gold nanoparticle populations by X-ray scattering and electron microscopy

Y. Yang, S. Liao, Z. Luo, R. Qi, N. Mac Fhionnlaoich, F. Stellacci and S. Guldin, Nanoscale, 2020, 12, 12007 DOI: 10.1039/C9NR09481D

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