Publications Repository - Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf

Accurate quantification of nanoparticles (NPs) in complex media remains a considerable challenge when assessing the risk that manufactured nanoparticles pose for humans and environment. The radiolabeling of nanoparticles is a valuable tool for conducting lab-studies with realistic systems and realistically low NP concentrations.
We have developed various methods of introducing radiotracers into some of the most common nanoparticles, such as Ag, carbon, SiO2, CeO2 and TiO2 nanoparticles. The labeling techniques are the synthesis of the nanoparticles using radioactive starting materials, the binding of the radiotracer to the nanoparticles, the activation of the nanoparticles using proton irradiation, the recoil labeling utilizing the recoil of a nuclear reaction to implant a radiotracer into the nanoparticle, and the in-diffusion of radiotracers into the nanoparticles at elevated temperatures. Using these methods we have produced [105/110mAg]Ag, [124/125/131I]CNTs, [48V]TiO2, [13/1419Ce]CeO2, [7Be]MWCNT, [64Cu]SiO2, [44/45Ti]TiO2, etc. for accurate quantification in complex media at environmentally relevant low concentrations.
The nanoparticles labeled by our methods can be detected at minimal concentrations well in the ng/L range even with a background of the same element and without complicated sample preparations necessary. The methods are adaptable for a wide range of other nanoparticles. The labeled particles have been successfully used in release studies, environmental mobility studies, fate studies in waste water treatment and plant uptake studies.