Abstract
This paper compares the accuracy of conventional dynamic light scattering (DLS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) for characterizing size distributions of polystyrene nanoparticles in the size range of 20–100 nm. Average DLS values for monosize dispersed particles are slightly higher than the nominal values whereas AFM values were slightly lower than nominal values. Bimodal distributions were easily identified with AFM, but DLS results were skewed toward larger particles. AFM characterization of nanoparticles using automated analysis software provides an accurate and rapid analysis for nanoparticle characterization and has advantages over DLS for non-monodispersed solutions.
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank Dr. Hirotaka Sasaki and Dr. Stephen White of the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine for access to their dynamic light scattering analyzer. This work was supported by the U.S. Navy under contract # N00244-06-P-2341 and funding from Pacific Nanotechnology, Inc.
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Hoo, C.M., Starostin, N., West, P. et al. A comparison of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) methods to characterize nanoparticle size distributions. J Nanopart Res 10 (Suppl 1), 89–96 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-008-9435-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-008-9435-7