Discipline: Nanoscience
Subcategory: Physics (not Nanoscience)
Luanda Billups - Alabama State University
Co-Author(s): Komal Vig, University, Alabama, State; Cleon Barnett, Alabama State
In the field of Nanotechnology, nanoparticles can be applied to various biomedical applications. Specifically, gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have been evaluated for applications in targeted drug delivery due to their size and chemical properties. In the present study, we investigate the analytical capabilities of Laser Induced breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) for the determination of the concentration of GNPS in a biological matrix. Six concentrations of GNPs, ranging from .05 µg/µL to 1.5 µg/µL, were deposited in Hep-2 cells and after left to incubate for 24 hours at 37 C. The cells are then deposited on pure silicon wafers and left dry. LIBS was used to detect the GNPs using a gold emission line at 267.5 nm, Au I. To determine the concentration of GNPs in Hep-2 cells, calibration curves were produced from the LIBS emission using standards. In this study, we used the second harmonic of the Nd:YAG at 532 nm as the irradiation source. The later was delivered to samples using a 10X microscope objective. Optimization of focusing conditions, gate width and gate delay are presented. In addition, we estimate the limit of detection of gold nanoparticles using the slope and three times the noise.
Final Abstract.docxFunder Acknowledgement(s): This work was supported by US Dept. of Education, The Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program (MSEIP) (P120A150008) to Dr. Komal Vig (PD) and by NSF-CREST (HRD-1241701) to Dr. Shree R. Singh (PI).
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Komal Vig, komalvig@alasu.edu
Role: I prepared the tested sample to be run on the LIBS instrument. Preparation includes; conducting the cell culture of the Hep-2 cells, and creating dilutions of concentrated GNP (gold nanoparticle) stock to obtain the concentrations of interest prior to incubating the concentrations together with cells. Along with that I analyze the data after the samples are run on the instrument.