Technical note: Characterization of polystyrene latex spheres 300 nm in diameter with a singularly narrow size distribution

Characterization of Mass, Diameter, Density, and Surface Properties of Colloidal Nanoparticles Enabled by Charge Detection Mass Spectrometry

“…12−15 As with DLS and SAXs, DMA analysis is also an ensemble-based measurement, but unlike DLS and SAXS, DMA can separate and distinguish multiple nanoparticle geometries and distinct size distributions present in a single sample with uncertainties as low as ∼1% of the nominal particle diameters. 14,15 Images provided by different types of electron microscopies and AFM make it possible to obtain information about the distribution of particle sizes and shapes from multiple individual particle measurements. 8−11 Single particle methods are powerful tools to characterize nanoparticles, but challenges associated with cost, sample preparation, and often labor-intensive image analysis can sometimes preclude the use of these microscopy techniques in obtaining robust sampling statistics.…”

“…High-resolution DMA measurements obtained by de la Mora and co-workers for the same CM nanoparticles yielded an upper bound for the mean diameter at ∼100 nm and fwhm of 3%, consistent with these TEM results. 14 The higher mean diameter estimated by DMA may be due to the retention of involatile solutes and unevaporated solvent in the ESI process used to generate gas-phase nanoparticles or due to uncertainties in the DMA calibration and flow rates 14 or particle shrinkage in TEM measurements. The Nanospheres have a manufacturer certified, NISTtraceable mean diameter of 101 ± 3 nm, which is also consistent with the observed range of TEM mean diameters.…”

“…Colloidal nanomaterials play an increasingly important role in a broad range of chemical and biological applications. Methods that provide information about the size, shape, and surface properties of nanomaterials are vital in understanding their synthesis pathways, chemistry, and stability. − Several different methods are frequently used to characterize colloidal nanomaterials, including dynamic light scattering (DLS), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning tunneling electron microscopy (STEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and differential mobility analysis (DMA). − DLS and SAXS are ensemble measurements that use photon scattering from which average nanomaterial properties are inferred. − These measurements have the advantage that they are made directly from solution. In DMA analysis, nanoparticles must be ionized and transferred into the gas phase where their mobilities, which are related to particle size and shape, are measured. − As with DLS and SAXs, DMA analysis is also an ensemble-based measurement, but unlike DLS and SAXS, DMA can separate and distinguish multiple nanoparticle geometries and distinct size distributions present in a single sample with uncertainties as low as ∼1% of the nominal particle diameters. , Images provided by different types of electron microscopies and AFM make it possible to obtain information about the distribution of particle sizes and shapes from multiple individual particle measurements. − Single particle methods are powerful tools to characterize nanoparticles, but challenges associated with cost, sample preparation, and often labor-intensive image analysis can sometimes preclude the use of these microscopy techniques in obtaining robust sampling statistics.…”