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Soft X‐ray spectromicroscopy for speciation, quantitation and nano‐eco‐toxicology of nanomaterials
Author(s) -
LAWRENCE J.R.,
SWERHONE G.D.W.,
DYNES J.J.,
KORBER D.R.,
HITCHCOCK A.P.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of microscopy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.569
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1365-2818
pISSN - 0022-2720
DOI - 10.1111/jmi.12156
Subject(s) - nanomaterials , nanotechnology , context (archaeology) , materials science , carbon nanotube , environmental chemistry , characterization (materials science) , chemistry , paleontology , biology
Summary There is a critical need for methods that provide simultaneous detection, identification, quantitation and visualization of nanomaterials at their interface with biological and environmental systems. The approach should allow speciation as well as elemental analysis. Using the intrinsic X‐ray absorption properties, soft X‐ray scanning transmission X‐ray spectromicroscopy (STXM) allows characterization and imaging of a broad range of nanomaterials, including metals, oxides and organic materials, and at the same time is able to provide detailed mapping of biological components. Thus, STXM offers considerable potential for application to research on nanomaterials in biology and the environment. The potential and limitations of STXM in this context are discussed using a range of examples, focusing on the interaction of nanomaterials with microbial cells, biofilms and extracellular polymers. The studies outlined include speciation and mapping of metal‐containing nanomaterials (Ti, Ni, Cu) and carbon‐based nanomaterials (multiwalled carbon nanotubes, C 60 fullerene). The benefits of X‐ray fluorescence detection in soft X‐ray STXM are illustrated with a study of low levels of Ni in a natural river biofilm.