Single-Particle Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry for Characterization of Engineered Nanoparticles

Single-Particle Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry for Characterization of Engineered Nanoparticles

With the rapid development of nanotechnology, consumer products containing metallic engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) are commonly available in the market. These particles subsequently are released into the environment, and uptake of these materials by human is very likely. Methods for detecting, quantifying, and characterizing these materials in complex matrices are critical for the eventual understanding of their implications to human health and environment. To assess their effect on the body, reliable and fast detection of these nanoparticles in very low amount becomes increasingly important. Single-particle ICP-MS has emerged (spICP-MS) as a useful tool for characterization of metal-containing nanoparticles. This technique is reliable and fast for counting and sizing particles at lowest concentrations while simultaneously distinguishing between dissolved and particulate analytes.

The chapter describing about this technique has been published in the book “Microbial Nanobionics” volume 2 Basic Research and Applications edited by  Dr. Ram Prasad.