FTIR investigation of non-volatile molecular nanoparticles

A new approach for the spectroscopic investigation of non-volatile molecula r nanoparticles with diameters in the range between 10 and 100 nm is propos ed. The nanoparticles are produced in an electrospray with subsequent solve nt evaporation. The number size distribution of the generated aerosol is de termined with a scanning mobility particle sizer. Fourier transform infrare d spectroscopy is used to study the vibrational dynamics of the nanoparticl es. As an example, we have investigated sucrose nanoparticles with six diff erent diameters between 36 and 82 nm. From a comparison with different bulk phase spectra. we conclude that sucrose aerosols are formed in a solid amo rphous state. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.