The role of nuclear sensors and positrons for engineering nano and microtechnologies

Abstract

A sustainable nano-manufacturing future relies on optimisation of the design and synthetic approach, detailed understanding of structure/properties relationships and the ability to measure a products impact in the environment. This article outlines how bench-top PALS and nuclear techniques can be used in the routine analysis of a wide range of nanomaterials. Traditionally used in the semiconductor industry, PALS has proven to be useful not only in measuring porosity in polymeric materials but also in the monitoring of milling processes used to produce natural fibre powders. Nuclear sensors (radiotracers), designed to probe charge, size and hydrophilicity of nanomaterials, are used to evaluate the connectivity (availability) of these pores for interaction with media. Together they provide valuable information on structure/properties relationship of nanomaterials and insight into how the design of a material can be optimised. Furthermore, the highly sensitive nuclear sensors can be adapted for monitoring the impact of nanomaterials in vivo and the environment. 12th International Workshop on Slow Positron Beam Techniques (SLOPOS12) IOP Publishing

Optimizing Radiolabeling Amine-Functionalized Silica Nanoparticles Using SarAr-NCS for Applications in Imaging and Radiotherapy

“…Nuclear techniques offer extremely high sensitivity and accuracy for probing the properties of porous and functionalized nanoparticles. , Hexaazamacrobicyclic cage ligand 1- N -(4-aminobenzyl)-3,6,10,13,16,19-hexaazabicyclo­[6.6.6]­eicosane-1,8-diamine (SarAr) is efficient and accurate for determining the available carboxyl groups and possesses wider utility in the optimization of particle preparation and quality control of batches . Furthermore, this bifunctional ligand has remarkable stability for complexing a range of transition-metal ions rapidly. , It has also been used to study porous nanomaterials in an effort to understand solid–liquid interfaces and reactions. , …”