01 February 2012 01 February 2012
Detecting single metal nanoparticle by dark-field microscopy Detecting single metal nanoparticle by dark-field microscopy Jeonghoo kim
Marian High School
Introduction & MotivationIntroduction & Motivation
Dark field microscopy describes microscopy method, in both light and electron
microscopy, which exclude the unscattered beam of the image.
In this experiment, dark field optical microscopy was used to detect single metal
nanoparticles. The goals of this research were to develop the technique to observe nano-
sized particles and to understand the factors that influence the position and line width of the
plasmon band, which is collective motion of the electrons in the particle. The plasmon band
gives rise to the brilliant colors of metal particle samples.
Procedure Procedure
1. Clean the condenser so microscope and give focused picture of
particles.
2. Put the slide with the particles on the microscope stage
3. Drop a oil on the slide , then focus the particle by adjusting the
microscope
4. Take a picture of the particle by using the camera.
5. Use the spectrometer to find the plasmon band of each paritlces.
1. Clean the condenser so microscope and give focused picture of
particles.
2. Put the slide with the particles on the microscope stage
3. Drop a oil on the slide , then focus the particle by adjusting the
microscope
4. Take a picture of the particle by using the camera.
5. Use the spectrometer to find the plasmon band of each paritlces.
Absorbance Mode
Results & Analysis Results & Analysis
Picture of Nanoparticle Picture of Nanoparticle
Au particle Au particle Au Ag particle Au Ag particle
Ag particle Ag particle Ag particle with no BSPP Ag particle with no BSPP
The picture of the Rose window in the Notre Dame cathedral
Paris.
Single nanoparticles of Au, Ag, Au-Ag, Au with no BSPP of ~20nm size were detected
The plasmon band is very sensitive to the exact shape of the particles
Future Research : change the light path in the microscope so that a spectrometer can be used
to measure the plasmon band ( record spectra of individual spectra)
Single nanoparticles of Au, Ag, Au-Ag, Au with no BSPP of ~20nm size were detected
The plasmon band is very sensitive to the exact shape of the particles
Future Research : change the light path in the microscope so that a spectrometer can be used
to measure the plasmon band ( record spectra of individual spectra)
The spectrometer that was used to find the plasmon of each particles
Inside of the spectrometer
that shows the light path. Conclusions Conclusions
Different samples showed different colors . Au particles were
expected to be brown. However, they contained more red and
yellow particles. The actual colors of particles are different
probably because different shapes and size present in the samples.
Especially for Ag triangle, there were many different colors.
This is one reason nanoparticles need to be studied using a
microscope.
Different samples showed different colors . Au particles were
expected to be brown. However, they contained more red and
yellow particles. The actual colors of particles are different
probably because different shapes and size present in the samples.
Especially for Ag triangle, there were many different colors.
This is one reason nanoparticles need to be studied using a
microscope.
Discussion Discussion
Solutions ( Ag, Au, Ag with no BSPP), Au: Ag)Solutions ( Ag, Au, Ag with no BSPP), Au: Ag)