In Situ Tracking of Nanoparticles During Electrophoresis in Hydrogels Using a Fiber-Based UV-Vis System

Gel electrophoresis is a powerful method for the separation of nanoparticulate suspensions into several fractions with distinct particle properties. To monitor particle migration through the three-dimensional net structure of the gel and gain insights about the separation process, this study introdu...

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Main Authors: Matthäus Barasinski, Valentin Jasper, Marion Görke, Georg Garnweitner
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Powders
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2674-0516/4/1/3
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author Matthäus Barasinski
Valentin Jasper
Marion Görke
Georg Garnweitner
author_facet Matthäus Barasinski
Valentin Jasper
Marion Görke
Georg Garnweitner
author_sort Matthäus Barasinski
collection DOAJ
description Gel electrophoresis is a powerful method for the separation of nanoparticulate suspensions into several fractions with distinct particle properties. To monitor particle migration through the three-dimensional net structure of the gel and gain insights about the separation process, this study introduces a self-designed fiber-based UV-Vis measurement system equipped with five probes for the sequential in situ recording of absorption spectra. The system was employed to investigate the migration and separation of Au and Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> particles within hydrogels of varying agarose concentrations (0.15–0.50 wt.-%), revealing an increase in scattering with higher agarose content. The identification of specific particle fractions with a spherical or rod-shaped morphology was successfully achieved within the gels due to characteristic absorption peaks, allowing the real-time observation of particle separation. For the separation of a binary mixture, an adequate migration distance is needed according to the difference in the electrophoretic mobility of the two samples. The particle tracking and an additional mathematical deconvolution allowed the analysis of mixed particle samples within the gel so that their weight ratio could be determined. Finally, the system was calibrated for the determination of the particle concentration within the gel matrix, quantitatively revealing the particle concentration at a specific position in the gel.
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spelling doaj-art-826a5b45bb0747478f6d179bbe97971d2025-08-20T03:43:14ZengMDPI AGPowders2674-05162025-01-0141310.3390/powders4010003In Situ Tracking of Nanoparticles During Electrophoresis in Hydrogels Using a Fiber-Based UV-Vis SystemMatthäus Barasinski0Valentin Jasper1Marion Görke2Georg Garnweitner3Institute for Particle Technology (iPAT), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Volkmaroder Straße 5, 38104 Braunschweig, GermanyInstitute for Particle Technology (iPAT), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Volkmaroder Straße 5, 38104 Braunschweig, GermanyInstitute for Particle Technology (iPAT), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Volkmaroder Straße 5, 38104 Braunschweig, GermanyInstitute for Particle Technology (iPAT), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Volkmaroder Straße 5, 38104 Braunschweig, GermanyGel electrophoresis is a powerful method for the separation of nanoparticulate suspensions into several fractions with distinct particle properties. To monitor particle migration through the three-dimensional net structure of the gel and gain insights about the separation process, this study introduces a self-designed fiber-based UV-Vis measurement system equipped with five probes for the sequential in situ recording of absorption spectra. The system was employed to investigate the migration and separation of Au and Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> particles within hydrogels of varying agarose concentrations (0.15–0.50 wt.-%), revealing an increase in scattering with higher agarose content. The identification of specific particle fractions with a spherical or rod-shaped morphology was successfully achieved within the gels due to characteristic absorption peaks, allowing the real-time observation of particle separation. For the separation of a binary mixture, an adequate migration distance is needed according to the difference in the electrophoretic mobility of the two samples. The particle tracking and an additional mathematical deconvolution allowed the analysis of mixed particle samples within the gel so that their weight ratio could be determined. Finally, the system was calibrated for the determination of the particle concentration within the gel matrix, quantitatively revealing the particle concentration at a specific position in the gel.https://www.mdpi.com/2674-0516/4/1/3gel electrophoresisin situ measurementnanoparticlesAu nanorodsiron oxideagarose gel
spellingShingle Matthäus Barasinski
Valentin Jasper
Marion Görke
Georg Garnweitner
In Situ Tracking of Nanoparticles During Electrophoresis in Hydrogels Using a Fiber-Based UV-Vis System
Powders
gel electrophoresis
in situ measurement
nanoparticles
Au nanorods
iron oxide
agarose gel
title In Situ Tracking of Nanoparticles During Electrophoresis in Hydrogels Using a Fiber-Based UV-Vis System
title_full In Situ Tracking of Nanoparticles During Electrophoresis in Hydrogels Using a Fiber-Based UV-Vis System
title_fullStr In Situ Tracking of Nanoparticles During Electrophoresis in Hydrogels Using a Fiber-Based UV-Vis System
title_full_unstemmed In Situ Tracking of Nanoparticles During Electrophoresis in Hydrogels Using a Fiber-Based UV-Vis System
title_short In Situ Tracking of Nanoparticles During Electrophoresis in Hydrogels Using a Fiber-Based UV-Vis System
title_sort in situ tracking of nanoparticles during electrophoresis in hydrogels using a fiber based uv vis system
topic gel electrophoresis
in situ measurement
nanoparticles
Au nanorods
iron oxide
agarose gel
url https://www.mdpi.com/2674-0516/4/1/3
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