New! Sign up for our free email newsletter.
Science News
from research organizations

New 'Pyrex' Nanoparticle More Stable In Harsh Environments

Date:
September 10, 2008
Source:
Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Summary:
Researchers in Switzerland have developed a new method to fabricate borosilicate glass nanoparticles. Used in microfluidic systems, these "Pyrex"-like nanoparticles are more stable when subjected to temperature fluctuations and harsh chemical environments than currently used nanoparticles made of polymers or silica glass. Their introduction could extend the range of potential nanoparticle applications in biomedical, optical and electronic fields.
Share:
FULL STORY

Researchers in Switzerland have developed a new method to fabricate borosilicate glass nanoparticles. Used in microfluidic systems, these "Pyrex"-like nanoparticles are more stable when subjected to temperature fluctuations and harsh chemical environments than currently used nanoparticles made of polymers or silica glass.

Their introduction could extend the range of potential nanoparticle applications in biomedical, optical and electronic fields.

Thanks to their large surface-to-volume ratio, nanoparticles have generated wide interest as potential transporters of antibodies, drugs, or chemicals for use in diagnostic tests, targeted drug therapy, or for catalyzing chemical reactions.

Unfortunately, these applications are limited because nanoparticles disintegrate or bunch together when exposed to elevated temperatures, certain chemicals, or even de-ionized water. Using borosilicate glass (the original "Pyrex") instead of silica glass or polymers would overcome these limitations, but fabrication has been impossible to date due to the instability of the boron oxide precursor materials.

In this week's advance online issue of Nature Nanotechnology, a group of EPFL researchers, led by Professor Martin Gijs, reports on a new procedure to fabricate and characterize borosilicate glass nanoparticles. In addition to biomedical applications, the new nanoparticles could also have applications in the production of photonic bandgap devices with high optical contrast, contrast agents for ultrasonic microscopy or chemical filtration membranes.


Story Source:

Materials provided by Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Cite This Page:

Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne. "New 'Pyrex' Nanoparticle More Stable In Harsh Environments." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 10 September 2008. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080907211943.htm>.
Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne. (2008, September 10). New 'Pyrex' Nanoparticle More Stable In Harsh Environments. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080907211943.htm
Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne. "New 'Pyrex' Nanoparticle More Stable In Harsh Environments." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080907211943.htm (accessed March 28, 2024).

Explore More

from ScienceDaily

RELATED STORIES