Radiolabeling of nanoparticles - A versatile tool in nanosafety research

The employment of radiotracers is a versatile tool for the detection of nano-particulate materials in complex systems such as environmental samples or organisms. The monitoring of nanoparticles (NPs) in such complex natural systems as soil, natural waters, plants, sewage sludge, etc. very is challenging using conventional methods, especially at environmentally relevant concentrations. This obstacle can be overcome by the use of radiolabeling which provides an easy way of accurately quantifying nanoparticles in complex systems without extensive sample preparation, regardless of any particulate or elemental background.
We have developed various methods of introducing radiotracers into the most common nanoparticles, such as Ag, carbon, SiO2, CeO2 and TiO2 nanoparticles.