Essential equipment for nanoparticle characterization: stability, surface chemistry and optical properties

纳米材料(尺寸尺寸：1-100 nm)以其独特的特性为许多紧迫的生物医学问题开辟了新的途径。出于这个原因，我最近受聘于INRS进行一项积极的研究计划，开发具有发光和/或超顺磁性的高功能纳米粒子(NPs)，并针对各种重要的生物医学应用。建议研究的短期目标是开发基于半导体NPs(在可见光和近红外区域发射)和/或金属超顺磁性NPs(为了获得最高的磁化强度，从而提高工作效率)的混合NPs，它将被坚固的外壳覆盖(例如，为了稳定和最小的毒性，例如聚合物/二氧化硅双壳层)。我们活动的主要重点将集中在先进的纳米材料的合成，表面修饰和共轭，结构和稳定性表征，以及使用综合实验技术研究超顺磁性和光物理性质。长期目标是增加我们对发光和超顺磁性纳米材料的知识，并将它们推向生物医学应用。一种最先进的NP表征设备对于开发拟议的研究计划至关重要。其中最重要的设备之一是紫外(UV)/可见光(VIS)/近红外(NIR)分光光度计，用于发光纳米粒子的光学表征，以及在表面修饰和结合过程中方便地确定感兴趣的物种的浓度。拥有能够测试和优化纳米粒子的胶体稳定性并评估其表面修饰后的表面化学的Zeta电位分析仪也是绝对关键的。本申请将补充来自其他来源的资金，目的是促进先进纳米材料开发和表征方面的重点研究活动，并培训高素质的人员，以应对当代的科学和技术挑战。

Nanomaterials (size scale: 1-100 nm) with their novel properties unique to matter of such dimensions are creating new routes to many pressing biomedical issues. For this reason, I have been recently hired by INRS to pursue a vigorous research program in the development of highly functional nanoparticles (NPs) possessing luminescent and/or superparamagnetic properties and targeted at various important biomedical applications.  The short-term objective of the proposed research is to develop hybrid NPs based on semiconductor NPs (emitting in both visible and near-infrared regions) and/or metallic superparamagnetic NPs (for highest magnetization and thus working efficiency), which will be covered by robust shells (e.g. polymer/silica double shells, for stability and minimal toxicity). The main thrust of our activity will focus on advanced nanomaterials synthesis, surface modification and conjugation, structural and stability characterization, and the investigation of superparamagnetic and photophysical properties using a combination of experimental techniques. The long-term objectives are increasing our knowledge of luminescent and superparamagnetic nanomaterials as well as pushing them towards biomedical applications.  State-of-the-art equipment for NP characterization is essential to develop the proposed research program. One of the most important equipment is a Ultraviolet (UV)/Visible (Vis)/Near-infrared (NIR) Spectrophotometer to be used for the optical characterization of luminescent NPs and for the convenient determination of the concentrations of species of interest during surface modification and conjugation processes. It is also absolutely crucial to have a Zeta Potential Analyzer that is able to test and optimize the colloidal stability of NPs and evaluate their surface chemistry after surface modification. The present application will complement funding from other sources, with the aim of contributing to foster focused research activities in advanced nanomaterials development and characterization and to train highly qualified personnel to respond to contemporary scientific and technological challenges.