Evaluation of zeta potential of nanomaterials by electrophoretic light scattering: Fast field reversal versus Slow field reversal modes

Abstract

Zeta potential of nanomaterials designed to be used in nanomedecine is an important parameter to evaluate as it influences in vivo behaviour hence biological activity, efficacy and safety. As mentioned by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), electrophoretic light scattering is a relevant method for evaluating zeta potential. The present work aimed to validate a new protocol based on the application of Fast Field Reversal mode and to explore its scope with nanomaterials investigated as nanomedicines. Its scope was then compared with that of an already validated protocol which uses both Fast Field Reversal and Slow Field Reversal modes. The new protocol was validated within the framework of the application of the Smoluchowski approximation. Its performances complied with the ISO standard. The protocol could be applied to evaluate mean zeta potential of soft nanomaterials including polymer-based nanomedicines and liposomes. However, it appeared unsuitable to evaluate zeta potential of dense nanomaterial including rutile titanium dioxide nanoparticles. Compared with the previously validated protocol which only applied to the determination of zeta potential of polymer nanoparticles, this new validated protocol gives access to the determination of zeta potential to a wider range of nanomedicines under conditions complying with quality control assessments.

New Core-Shell Nanostructures for FRET Studies: Synthesis, Characterization, and Quantitative Analysis

“…For future potential applications, it may also be considered as a means of predicting the in vivo behavior of nanomedicines. It is known that a suspended colloidal system is unstable if its zeta potential magnitude lies between +25 to −25 mV, and is stable for values greater than +25 mV or smaller than −25 mV [ 33 ].…”

The double-faced electrostatic behavior of PNIPAm microgels

“…The hydrodynamic diameter of NP-microgel complexes has been obtained through the CONTIN analysis of the correlograms since part of the dispersed NP stayed unadsorbed and contribute to the light scattered by the sample, especially at high NP concentrations (Figure 11C,D) and T < T c . By contrast, since the contribution of microgels or NP-microgel complexes to the scattered intensity dominates over that of free NPs due to their two radically different size distributions, PALS measurements [88] do not allow to resolve free NP particle mobility in the mixtures. This technique indeed, allows discerning different electrophoretic mobility populations mostly for similarly sized particles characterized by comparable number density and radically different charge [89,90].…”

Practical Guidelines for the Characterization and Quality Control of Nanoparticles in the Pharmaceutical Industry

“…A similar strategy than that applied to validate procedure of size measurements may be applied 12,21,64,131 . In short, as for size measurements performed by DLS, the preparation of samples to evaluate ZP by ELS is a key step 12,21,64,131 .…”

“…A similar strategy than that applied to validate procedure of size measurements may be applied 12,21,64,131 . In short, as for size measurements performed by DLS, the preparation of samples to evaluate ZP by ELS is a key step 12,21,64,131 . The presence of dust in samples can be avoided preparing dilutions with freshly filter dispersants with 0.22 µm filter just before use.…”

“…Qualified evaluation of ZP can be performed following the same procedure than the one described for the measurement of size of NMs. According to the mode used to perform the evaluation of ZP, the proposed procedures by Varenne et al can be applied to the characterization of NMs including polymer NPs and liposomes, but were not appropriate to evaluate the ZP of dense NPs such as titanium dioxide NPs 12,64,131 . In any cases, the evaluation of ZP of a NM is not trivial as many parameters can influence the final results 141 .…”