Dear Forum members,
I urgently need to have informations about the main points of the characterization of nanoparticles and the ways that I need to follow from the begining of a nanoparticle/carrier fabrication.
I am waiting for your response,
Thanks in advances

rukangenc:

I have listed a few references dealing with fabrication within the nanotechnology field. Please indicate if these were helpful. If not, would you please request more specific information.



Guided molecular self-assembly: a review of recent efforts
Jiyun C Huie 2003 Smart Mater. Struct. 12 264-271
Abstract. This paper serves as an introductory review of significant and novel successes achieved in the fields of nanotechnology, particularly in the formation of nanostructures using guided molecular self-assembly methods. Self-assembly is a spontaneous process by which molecules and nanophase entities may materialize into organized aggregates or networks. Through various interactive mechanisms of self-assembly, such as electrostatics, chemistry, surface properties, and via other mediating agents, the technique proves indispensable to recent functional materials and device realizations. The discussion will extend to spontaneous and LangmuirBlodgett formation of self-assembled monolayers on various substrates, and a number of different categories of self-assembly techniques based on the type of interaction exploited. Combinatorial techniques, known as soft lithography, of micro-contact printing and dip-pen nanolithography, which can be effectively used to up-size nanostructured molecular assemblies to submicrometer and micrometer scale patterns, will also be mentioned.


Nanostructure fabrication using block copolymers
I W Hamley 2003 Nanotechnology 14 R39-R54
Abstract. A brief overview is provided of recent developments in the use of block copolymer self-assembly to create morphologies that may be used to template the fabrication of nanostructures in other materials. The patterning of semiconductor surfaces using block copolymer film masks and the production of high-density arrays of magnetic domains are discussed. The use of block copolymer micelles as 'nanoreactors' to prepare metal and semiconductor nanoparticles is considered, and methods to pattern nanoparticles are highlighted. A number of approaches to design nanocapsules are summarized. Finally, applications of bulk nanostructures to make mesoporous materials with controlled pore structures and sizes, or to create photonic crystals, are discussed.



Microfabricated needles for transdermal delivery of macromolecules and nanoparticles: Fabrication methods and transport studies
Devin V. McAllister , Ping M. Wang, Shawn P. Davis, Jung-Hwan Park{dagger}, Paul J. Canatella, Mark G. Allen {ddagger}, and Mark R. Prausnitz
PNAS | November 25, 2003 | vol. 100 | no. 24
Arrays of micrometer-scale needles could be used to deliver drugs, proteins, and particles across skin in a minimally invasive manner. We therefore developed microfabrication techniques for silicon, metal, and biodegradable polymer microneedle arrays having solid and hollow bores with tapered and beveled tips and feature sizes from 1 to 1,000 m. When solid microneedles were used, skin permeability was increased in vitro by orders of magnitude for macromolecules and particles up to 50 nm in radius. Intracellular delivery of molecules into viable cells was also achieved with high efficiency. Hollow microneedles permitted flow of microliter quantities into skin in vivo, including microinjection of insulin to reduce blood glucose levels in diabetic rats.