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Table 1 Levasil® nanoparticle primary characterisation: TEM in conjunction with EDX spectroscopy was used to determine primary size distributions, shape / morphology, crystallinity, composition and purity. DLS determined particle colloidal stability/agglomeration (hydrodynamic diameter) and also particle surface charge (zeta potential) in as-manufactured aqueous solution

From: Genetic toxicity assessment of engineered nanoparticles using a 3D in vitro skin model (EpiDermâ„¢)

Product Name

Text Reference

Manufacturer Specified Size (diameter, nm)

Transmission Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy

Material Density (g/cm3)

Material Refractive Index

Dynamic Light Scattering (peak analysis of distributions by particle number)

Primary Size: average diameter, nm ± standard deviation (range)

Shape/Morphology

Crystallinity/Composition/Purity Contaminant free?

Agglomeration: (hydrodynamic diameter, nm)

Surface Charge (mV)

Surface chemistry

aqueous dispersion; 300 μg/mL

Modal size (distribution peak max)

Size Range (99 % distribution)

Polydispersity ndex (range)

Zeta Potential ± SD (Solution pH)

Levasil® 200 (aqueous solution)

16 nm-SiO2

15

16.4 ± 5.3 (8 – 42)

spherical/smooth

Amorphous SiO2, yes

2.65

1.54

17

9 - 32

0.02 - 0.08

-55.3 ± 2.3 (pH 7.8)

negative due to unbound surface oxygen

Levasil® 50 (aqueous solution)

85 nm-SiO2

55

85.1 ± 23.7 (41 – 159)

spherical/smooth

Amorphous SiO2, yes

2.65

1.54

92

50 - 164

0.21 - 0.22

-63.2 ± 3.8 (pH 9.4)