The term Field-Flow Fractionation (FFF) identifies a family of separation techniques able to separate sample components thanks to the action of a field force applied perpendicularly to a flow, which flows inside of an empty, thin and long channel. The different force field (liquid flows, centrifugal forces, temperature gradients or gravity fields), determines the FFF method. FFF methods are suitable to separate both soluble and colloidal components over a wide size range, a feature, which make them particularly useful for the characterization of nano-entities, such the nanoparticles (NPs) added in many everyday products. The most popular FFF method in the NPs characterization field is the FlowFFF (F4), often coupled on-line with specific element detectors, such as ICP-MS; equally suitable is the centrifugal FFF, which is actually more selective in term of sizes. Size, in fact, along with shape, morphology and many other physicochemical parameters are the principal characteristics, which has to be determined to evaluate the health or/and environmental effects caused by the NPs. This presentation summarizes the most relevant information, which can be determined with the FFF methods in the field of nanotechnologies.
FIELD FLOW FRACTIONATION: A WINDOW ON THE "nano-WORLD”
CONTADO, Catia
2015
Abstract
The term Field-Flow Fractionation (FFF) identifies a family of separation techniques able to separate sample components thanks to the action of a field force applied perpendicularly to a flow, which flows inside of an empty, thin and long channel. The different force field (liquid flows, centrifugal forces, temperature gradients or gravity fields), determines the FFF method. FFF methods are suitable to separate both soluble and colloidal components over a wide size range, a feature, which make them particularly useful for the characterization of nano-entities, such the nanoparticles (NPs) added in many everyday products. The most popular FFF method in the NPs characterization field is the FlowFFF (F4), often coupled on-line with specific element detectors, such as ICP-MS; equally suitable is the centrifugal FFF, which is actually more selective in term of sizes. Size, in fact, along with shape, morphology and many other physicochemical parameters are the principal characteristics, which has to be determined to evaluate the health or/and environmental effects caused by the NPs. This presentation summarizes the most relevant information, which can be determined with the FFF methods in the field of nanotechnologies.I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
