Size and mass determination of silver nanoparticles in an aqueous matrix using asymmetric flow field flow fractionation coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer and ultraviolet–visible detectors

• Published in: Journal of Chromatography A 2013-12, Vol.1321, p.100-108
• Main Authors: Geiss, Otmar, Cascio, Claudia, Gilliland, Douglas, Franchini, Fabio, Barrero-Moreno, Josefa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: AgNP; Analytical chemistry; Antibacterial properties; Asymmetric flow field flow fractionation (AF4); Asymmetry; Chemistry; Chromatographic methods and physical methods associated with chromatography; chromatography; detection limit; Detectors; Exact sciences and technology; fabrics; Fractionation; ICP-MS; Mathematical analysis; Nanoparticles; nanosilver; Nanostructure; Other chromatographic methods; personal care products; probability; Silver
• ISSN: 0021-9673
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2013.10.060

•A method for the determination of silver nanoparticles in aqueous matrices is presented.•The method is based on AFFFF coupled to ICP-MS and UV/vis detectors.•The method allows simultaneous determination of particle-size and mass concentration.•Calibration is done by pre-channel injections of silver nanoparticles.•The proposed method is in-house validated. The powerful antibacterial properties of engineered silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have, in recent years, led to a great increase in their use in consumer products such as textiles and personal care products offers. This widespread and often indiscriminate use of nano-silver is inevitably increasing the probability that such materials be accidentally or deliberately lost into the environment. Once present in the environment the normally useful antibacterial properties of the silver may instead become a potential hazard to both man and the environment. In the face of such concerns it therefore desirable to develop easy, reliable and sensitive analytical methods for the determination of nano-sized silver in various matrices. This paper describes a method for the simultaneous determination of particles-size and mass-concentration of citrate-stabilized silver nano-particles in aqueous matrices by asymmetric flow field flow fractionation coupled to an ICP-mass spectrometer and UV/vis detector. In particular, this work has evaluated the use of pre-channel injections of mono-dispersed silver nano-particles as a means of accurate size and mass-calibration. The suitability of the method as a means to generate accurate and reliable results was verified by determination of parameters such as precision under repeatability conditions, linearity, accuracy, recovery and analytical sensitivity.