Separation of Nanoparticles in Aqueous Multiphase Systems through Centrifugation

Ozge Akbulut, Charles R. Mace, Ramses V Martinez, Ashok A. Kumar, Zhihong Nie, Matthew R. Patton, and George M Whitesides

Nano Lett., Just Accepted Manuscript

DOI: 10.1021/nl301452x

Publication Date (Web): June 5, 2012

Copyright © 2012 American Chemical Society

Abstract

This paper demonstrates the use of aqueous multiphase systems (MuPSs) as media for rate-zonal centrifugation to separate nanoparticles of different shapes and sizes. The properties of MuPSs do not change with time or during centrifugation; this stability facilitates sample collection after separation. A three-phase system demonstrates the separation of the reaction products (nanorods, nanospheres and large particles) of a synthesis of gold nanorods, and enriches the nanorods from 48% to 99% in less than ten minutes using a benchtop centrifuge.