ICP-MS-Based Characterization and Quantification of Nano- and Microstructures
A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Synthesis, Interfaces and Nanostructures".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 October 2023) | Viewed by 18998
Special Issue Editor
Interests: ICP-MS; synthesis, separation, and characterization of nanomaterials; single-particle ICP-MS; metrology; reference materials; development of analytical and bioanalytical applications at the nanoscale; metal and metal oxide nanoparticles; quantum dots; nanoclusters; hetero-nanostructures for catalysis; environmental health and safety
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Since its introduction in the 1980s, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) has evolved to become arguably the most versatile and powerful technique for the multi-elemental and multi-isotopic analysis of metals, metalloids, and selected non-metals at (ultra)trace levels. Given its several unique properties, over the last two decades, ICP-MS has become the reference analytical technique for reliable quantification and elemental composition characterization of nano- and microstructures fostering numerous advanced applications in diverse fields.
The superb capabilities of “stand alone” ICP-MS for the direct ultrasensitive quantification of bulk elemental content, ultrace elemental impurities, and isotopic determinations have significantly expanded the realm of (bio)analytical applications of nano- and microstructures. Furthermore, ICP-MS has rapidly become an essential on-line element-specific detector for the characterization of polydispersed and complex nano- and microstructures by its hyphenation to most common continuous fractionation/separation techniques.
The implementation of off-the-shelf ICP-MS instruments operating at higher time resolutions to perform measurements on individual nanoparticles, which is commonly called single-particle (SP-) ICP-MS, has swiftly evolved from a technological curiosity to a well-recognized technique for the rapid simultaneous determination of particle size distribution and particle number concentration in very dilute liquid suspensions. Considering the great interest in obtaining information from individual cells, the concept behind SP-ICP-MS has been successfully applied to single-cell analysis (SC-ICP-MS), enabling the detection and quantification of the metal content within individual cells. Despite that SP-ICP-MS was not considered a priori appropriate for monitoring carbon-based nano- and microstructures, the measurement of microplastics by SP-ICP-MS using carbon isotopic signatures or through metal isotope signatures of doped/functionalized particles has been very recently reported in the literature. These new advances highlight the pivotal role of ICP-based technologies in the development of many real-world applications of nano- and microstructures that are addressing new scientific and societal challenges.
This Special Issue is open to original research articles and reviews focused on, but not limited to, current developments, fundamental studies, metrological advances, and applications covering all areas of research associated with the use of ICP-MS for the characterization and quantification of nano- and microstructures (e.g., fundamental, theoretical, and measurement sciences; materials sciences; metrology; analytical and bioanalytical applications; environmental sciences; separation sciences; single-particle and single-cell ICP-MS; mass cytometry; micro- and nanoplastics; natural nanoparticles and colloids; health and biosciences; toxicology and ecotoxicology; nano- and microstructure exposure, risk assessment, and release from consumer products; etc.)
Dr. Antonio R. Montoro Bustos
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- ICP-MS
- nanomaterials
- micromaterials
- characterization
- quantification
- applications
- metrology
- hyphenated techniques
- single-particle and single-cell analysis