Laboratory Products
Advancing Manipulation of Composite Materials
Oct 03 2009
Researchers at Nottingham Trent University in the UK are using the Zetasizer Nano ZS particle chara - cterisation system from Malvern Instruments in work that has demonstrated the predominantly electrostatic nature of proteinaluminium interactions. This advance brings science a step closer towards being able to build novel aluminiumcomposite materials using naturally occurring biological processes.
Using biological processes to engineer nano-composite material structure is referred to as biomimetic-nanotectonic manipulation. By combining aluminium nanoparticles with proteins the Nottingham scientists took advantage of spontaneous biological assembly to fabricate highly organised structures called Keggin ions. These ions are the building blocks for advanced aluminium materials with highly specific properties used in applications such as antiperspirants, biosensors, environmental control systems and biomedical devices.
Manipulation of materials combining biological molecules with nanoparticles relies heavily on understanding interparticle interactions. The effects of surface charge on the participating particles and surrounding media dominate many of these. Researchers Olivier Deschaume, Kirill Shafran and Carole Perry reported on the effects of a model protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA), on the generation and properties of hybrid Al-protein composite materials formed from various high-purity, Al-containing, aqueous nanosized precursors.
The Zetasizer Nano ZS from Malvern Instruments makes particle size measurements, down to nano- and sub-nanometer ranges possible using dynamic light scattering. Using this system the research team achieved the sensitivity required to characterise the effect of aluminium hydroxide’s surface charge on predominantly electrostatic interactions with the model protein.
Digital Edition
ILM 49.5 July
July 2024
Chromatography Articles - Understanding PFAS: Analysis and Implications Mass Spectrometry & Spectroscopy Articles - MS detection of Alzheimer’s blood-based biomarkers LIMS - Essent...
View all digital editions
Events
Jul 28 2024 San Diego, CA USA
Jul 30 2024 Jakarta, Indonesia
Jul 31 2024 Chengdu, China
ACS National Meeting - Fall 2024
Aug 18 2024 Denver, CO, USA
Aug 25 2024 Copenhagen, Denmark