A1 Journal article (refereed)
Application of 3D printed scavengers for improving the accuracy of single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analyses of silver nanoparticles by dissolved silver removal (2023)

Kinnunen, V., Frimodig, J., Perämäki, S., & Matilainen, R. (2023). Application of 3D printed scavengers for improving the accuracy of single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analyses of silver nanoparticles by dissolved silver removal. Spectrochimica Acta Part B: Atomic Spectroscopy, 203, Article 106662. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sab.2023.106662

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Kinnunen, Virva; Frimodig, Janne; Perämäki, Siiri; Matilainen, Rose

Journal or series: Spectrochimica Acta Part B: Atomic Spectroscopy

ISSN: 0584-8547

eISSN: 1873-3565

Publication year: 2023

Publication date: 17/03/2023

Volume: 203

Article number: 106662

Publisher: Elsevier

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sab.2023.106662

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/86154

Abstract

The determination of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) with single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry can be severely interfered with coexisting dissolved silver causing high background signals, which can lead to inaccurate quantification of NP size and particle concentration. In this paper, chemically active and reusable 3D printed scavengers are applied for highly efficient dissolved silver removal in Ag NP dispersions, allowing more accurate determination of particle concentration and size. Selective laser sintering was used for constructing the porous 3D scavengers constituting of polystyrene used as a supporting material and ion-exchange material SiliaBond Tosic acid (TA), which were chosen based on their high dissolved silver extraction efficiency and ability to maintain original NP properties. The macroporous structure of the final 3D TA scavengers allowed Ag NPs to pass freely through the object without affecting their original properties. The efficient contact between the sample solution and the functional material resulted in rapid (ca. <1 min/sample), and highly efficient dissolved silver removal (≥98%). The 3D TA scavengers showed potential to be used for preconcentration of dissolved silver, and the retained dissolved silver can be eluted with a 0.5 mM solution of sodium thiosulphate with excellent recoveries (≥99%). Competitive adsorption of elements commonly found in natural waters (Ca, K, Mg, Na, S, Si, and Sr) were not found to affect the dissolved silver extraction efficiency. The developed pre-treatment method was applied for the determination of 30 nm Ag NPs in ultrapure and clear environmental waters with coexisting dissolved silver (0.2 μg kg−1). Whereas measurement of the samples as such led to a significant bias in NP sizing (up to +12% increase) and counting (up to −51% decrease), pre-treatment of samples with the functional 3D TA scavengers eliminated the interfering effect of dissolved silver. This resulted in significant improvement in NP detection and determination. Highly similar values were obtained for both NP mean size (30 ± 1 nm, <4% different) and concentration (<13% different) in all matrices studied as compared to samples in the absence of dissolved silver.

Keywords: nanoparticles; silver; mass spectrometry; dispersions (mixtures); separation methods; 3D printing

Free keywords: SP-ICP-MS; silver nanoparticles; functional 3D scavengers; dissolved silver interference; 3D printing

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2023

Preliminary JUFO rating: 1