title: Identification and accurate size characterization of nanoparticles in complex media.
abstract: We have developed a new method for the identification and accurate size characterization of nanoparticles (NPs) in complex media based on capillary electrokinetic (CE) separation coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Through mass scanning and Gaussian fitting of electropherogram peaks, we can obtain multidimensional information on chemical compositions, size distributions, and ionic species of multiple NPs in a single run. The results are more accurate than those obtained by using conventional methods. This method provides a powerful tool for investigating polydisperse NP systems and rapid screening of NP-containing products.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085 (China).
authors.forename: Lihong
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Qian
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Zhaojun
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.forename: Xueting
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Yanmin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Long
authors.forename: Guibin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jiang
keywords: capillary electrophoresis; electron microscopy; mass spectrometry; nanoparticles; silver