title: Simultaneous Identification of Spectral Properties and Sizes of Multiple Particles in Solution with Subnanometer Resolution.
abstract: We report an unsurpassed solution characterization technique based on analytical ultracentrifugation, which demonstrates exceptional potential for resolving particle sizes in solution with sub-nm resolution. We achieve this improvement in resolution by simultaneously measuring UV/Vis spectra while hydrodynamically separating individual components in the mixture. By equipping an analytical ultracentrifuge with a novel multi-wavelength detector, we are adding a new spectral discovery dimension to traditional hydrodynamic characterization, and amplify the information obtained by orders of magnitude. We demonstrate the power of this technique by characterizing unpurified CdTe nanoparticle samples, avoiding tedious and often impossible purification and fractionation of nanoparticles into apparently monodisperse fractions. With this approach, we have for the first time identified the pure spectral properties and band-gap positions of discrete species present in the CdTe mixture.
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck-Institut für Kolloid- und Grenzflächenforschung, Kolloidchemie, Forschungscampus Golm, Am Mühlenberg, 14424, Potsdam, Germany.|Izmir Institute of Technology, Chemistry Department, 35430, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Engin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Karabudak
authors.affiliation: University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX, 78229-3901, USA.
authors.forename: Emre
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Brookes
authors.affiliation: Physikalische Chemie, TU Dresden, Bergstrasse 66b, 01062, Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: Vladimir
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lesnyak
authors.affiliation: Physikalische Chemie, TU Dresden, Bergstrasse 66b, 01062, Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: Nikolai
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gaponik
authors.affiliation: Physikalische Chemie, TU Dresden, Bergstrasse 66b, 01062, Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Eychmüller
authors.affiliation: Institute of Particle Technology (LFG), Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Cauerstrasse 4, 91058, Erlangen, Germany.|Interdisciplinary Center for Functional Particle Systems (FPS), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Haberstrasse 9a, 91058, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Walter
authors.affiliation: Institute of Particle Technology (LFG), Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Cauerstrasse 4, 91058, Erlangen, Germany.|Interdisciplinary Center for Functional Particle Systems (FPS), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Haberstrasse 9a, 91058, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Doris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Segets
authors.affiliation: Institute of Particle Technology (LFG), Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Cauerstrasse 4, 91058, Erlangen, Germany.|Interdisciplinary Center for Functional Particle Systems (FPS), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Haberstrasse 9a, 91058, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Peukert
authors.affiliation: BASF SE, GKC/O-G201, 67056, Ludwigshafen, Germany.
authors.forename: Wendel
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wohlleben
authors.affiliation: University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX, 78229-3901, USA. demeler@biochem.uthscsa.edu.
authors.forename: Borries
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Demeler
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck-Institut für Kolloid- und Grenzflächenforschung, Kolloidchemie, Forschungscampus Golm, Am Mühlenberg, 14424, Potsdam, Germany. helmut.coelfen@uni-konstanz.de.|Universität Konstanz, Physikalische Chemie, Universitätsstrasse 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany. helmut.coelfen@uni-konstanz.de.
authors.forename: Helmut
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cölfen
mesh_terms: D019187:Cadmium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D003102:Colloids / Q000737:chemistry; D057446:Hydrodynamics; D010316:Particle Size; D045663:Quantum Dots / Q000737:chemistry*; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D013691:Tellurium / Q000737:chemistry*; D014461:Ultracentrifugation
chemical_list: D019187:Cadmium Compounds; D003102:Colloids; D013691:Tellurium; C028337:cadmium telluride
keywords: analytical methods; colloids; nanoparticles