New Methodology Unveils Intricacies of Nanoparticle Behavior

Nanoparticle interactions in aqueous environments can be deciphered using Taylor dispersion analysis in capillaries with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), according to a recent study in Analytical Chemistry (1).

Nanoparticles (NPs) are used to make a significant number of commercial products. Because of their unique physical and chemical properties, nanoparticles are versatile, making the application of them in various industries understandable. However, because of the increasing number of nanoparticles being found in the environment, it is important to understand the potential deleterious impact on human health and the environment (2).

A detailed 3D molecular landscape featuring neon-lit nanoparticles designed for targeted drug delivery | Image Credit: © Naruemon - stock.adobe.com

Rationally considered, health risks of NPs include toxicity, respiratory issues, penetration into sensitive biological barriers, and potential carcinogenic effects. Certain nanoparticles can provoke immune responses, causing allergies or autoimmune disorders. Environmentally, nanoparticles can persist in ecosystems, accumulating in soil, water, and air, leading to ecotoxicity and bioaccumulation in the food chain. These risks can disrupt ecosystems and contaminate water and air. Additionally, the disposal of nanoparticle-containing products poses waste management challenges.

Researchers from Palacký University Olomouc in the Czech Republic recently explored this topic. To analyze the behavior of nanoparticles in aqueous environments, the research team proposed and detailed a novel methodology for investigating metal-derived nanoparticles accurately and efficiently (1).

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The lead authors, Jan Petr and Tomáš Pluháček, introduced a sophisticated technique that combines Taylor dispersion analysis (TDA) in capillaries with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), an atomic spectroscopy technique (1). ICP-MS, normally used as the technique of choice to measure elements at trace levels in biological fluids, was used in the study because of its ability to make TDA into a tool that can determine the size of nanoparticles in samples (1,3). This method enabled the research team to investigate metal-derived nanoparticles with unparalleled precision (1). In particular, their method is notable because it was able to simultaneously discern between different types of nanoparticles while accurately determining crucial parameters such as hydrodynamic size, diffusion coefficient, and elemental composition (1).

What sets this methodology apart is its utilization of isotope-specific ICP-MS detection, allowing researchers to target the fate of isotopically enriched nanoparticles with unprecedented specificity (1). This capability was useful to the researchers because it enabled them to study previously unexplored realms of interparticle interactions (1). It also enabled them to characterize individual nanoparticle types within complex mixtures, all without the need for extensive calibration or laborious sample preparation (1).

In their experiments, Petr, Pluháček, and their team examined the behavior of carboxylated magnetite (Fe₃O₄@COOH) and silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) in the presence of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) under various conditions (1).

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The methodology used in the study offered a powerful tool for studying a wide range of phenomena in nanomaterial chemistry, nanotoxicology, and medicine. The complexity and versatility of this newly introduced methodology hold promise for addressing numerous questions that have long eluded researchers in the field (1). By providing insights into how nanoparticles behave in realistic high-ionic strength conditions mimicking cellular and environmental settings, this study marks a significant step forward in our understanding of nanomaterials and their applications (1).

As the scientific community continues to grapple with the implications of nanotechnology, methodologies like this offer invaluable tools for unlocking the mysteries of the nanoscale world.

References

(1) Baron, D.; Pluháček, T.; Petr, J. Characterization of Nanoparticles in Mixtures by Taylor Dispersion Analysis Hyphenated to Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. Anal. Chem. 2024, 96 (14), 5658–5663. DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.4c00586

(2) Tso, C.-P.; Zhung, C.-M.; Shih, Y.-H. Stability of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles in Aqueous Solutions. Water Sci. Technol. 2010, 61 (1), 127–133. DOI: 10.2166/wst.2010.787

(3) Wilschefski, S. C.; Baxter, M. R. Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry: Introduction to Analytical Aspects. Clin. Biochem. Rev. 2019, 40 (3), 115–133. DOI: 10.33176/AACB-19-00024