title: Mass spectrometry for the characterisation of nanoparticles.
abstract: Mass spectrometry (MS) has gained much importance in recent years as a powerful tool for reliable analytical characterisation of nanoparticles (NPs). The outstanding capabilities of different MS-based techniques including elemental and molecular detection and their coupling with different separation techniques and mechanisms are outlined herein. Examples of highly valuable elemental and molecular information for a more complete characterisation of NPs are given. Some selected applications illustrate the analytical potential of MS for NP sizing and quantitative assessment of the size distribution as well.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical and Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Oviedo, C/ Julián Clavería 8, 33006, Oviedo, Spain. antoniomontorobustos@gmail.com
authors.forename: Antonio R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Montoro Bustos
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ruiz Encinar
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sanz-Medel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size