Laser-Induced Shockwave Chromatography: A Separation and Analysis Method for Nanometer-Sized Particles and Molecules

• Published in: Analytical chemistry (Washington) Vol. 83; no. 7; pp. 2416 - 2419
• Main Authors: Nagahara, Tetsuhiko, Ichinose, Nobuyuki, Nakamura, Shinpei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 01.04.2011
• Subjects: Analytical chemistry; Animals; Cattle; Chemistry; Chromatography; Chromatography - methods; Comparative analysis; Exact sciences and technology; Lasers; Molecular Weight; Molecules; Nanoparticles; Nanoparticles - analysis; Nanoparticles - chemistry; Polymers; Proteins - analysis; Proteins - chemistry; Proteins - isolation & purification; Rabbits; Water; Particle size; Propagation; Nanoparticle; Polymer; Molecular size; Chromatography; Mixture; Protein; Molecules; Separation method; Analysis method; Laser; Technique; Molecular mass
• ISSN: 0003-2700; 1520-6882
• DOI: 10.1021/ac103349z

A microscopic chromatography has been developed where nanometer-size molecules or particles are separated according to their size by the laser-induced shockwave in a water-filled capillary. As the shockwave passed through the mixture of molecules/particles in solution, they move to the direction of the propagation of the shockwave. The distance from the point of shockwave generation depends on the particle size or molecular weight. This technique has some advantages compared to conventional chromatography, in terms of quick analysis of molecular weight and applicability to sticky and adsorbing polymers. Experimental results obtained for proteins, their aggregates, and inorganic nanoparticles are presented.