Laboratory

Nanopharmacology and Pharmaceutical Nanoscience

Department

Research Centre of the Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec – Université Laval (CHUL)

Funding agency(ies)

Fondation canadienne pour l’innovation (FCI) – Fonds des leaders John-R.-Evans (FLJR)

Manufacturer (model)

Particle Metrix

Commissioning

2017

Equipment Description

Measurement of the hydrodynamic radius of nanoparticles and colloids by Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA). The technique provides short videos of the diffusion of highly diluted nanoparticle suspensions. It enables the approximate size of nanoparticles and colloids to be determined based on their interactions with visible light. By calculating the diffusion coefficient of the colloids, their hydrodynamic radius can be determined.

Since the instrument counts the number of detectable particles in the sample (40 µL), the nanoparticle concentration can also be determined in terms of particle number. The size distribution obtained with this instrument is more precise than that measured by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). The instrument also provides an approximate visualization of nanoparticle morphology.

It can additionally determine the electrophoretic mobility of nanoparticles and their zeta potential. Finally, a long-pass filter (>520 nm) allows measurement to be restricted to fluorescent nanoparticles.

The instrument uses certain physicochemical parameters that may vary between samples, such as solvent viscosity.

Technical Specifications

• Required sample volume: 3–5 mL of a highly diluted nanoparticle suspension (1,000- to 10,000-fold dilution)

• Temperature range: 20–40 °C

• Laser: 520 nm

• Solvent compatibility: Aqueous solvents only

• Operating pressure: Atmospheric pressure (101 kPa)

• Measurement conditions: Measurements performed in suspension

• Analysis time: 30–45 minutes per measurement

  
  

Areas of expertise

• Materials Science

• Nanotechnology

• Extracellular Vesicles

• Drug Delivery

  
  

Conditions of Use

Training on the instrument is required, or the instrument must be operated by a research professional. Available to academic and/or industrial collaborators.

Rental Fees (CAD)

On-Campus

$75/hour with assistance from a research professional

Off-Campus (Academic)

$100/hour with assistance from a research professional

Industry

$150/hour with assistance from a research professional

Reservations

Nicolas Bertrand

nicolas.bertrand@pha.ulaval.ca

418 656-2131 # 407042