An innovative method for measuring nanoparticles

Precise measurement of the molecular weight, size and density of a nanoparticle in a single procedure is now possible, thanks to an ultracentrifugation method. Although nanoparticles are used in a variety of domains - such as medicine, solar energy and photonics - there is still much about them to be discovered. Establishing their full characterization, including mass, size and density, remains an extremely complex exercise, and this acts as a brake on research in the area. However, this knowledge gap will soon be filled, thanks to the work performed by Francesco Stellacci and Randy Carney, from the Supramolecular Nanomaterials and Interfaces Laboratory. In a recent article, they demonstrate that it's possible to obtain the complete characterization of a core-shell nanoparticle (the core and the external shell) by using a very simple method - analytical ultracentrifugation. This 100-year-old procedure has previously been used, in particular, to study the size and mass of proteins. It was in applying the method to their area of research that the scientists at EPF Lausanne realized the benefits that could be obtained from its use.