Fluorescence lifetime imaging of optically levitated aerosol: a technique to quantitatively map the viscosity of suspended aerosol particles
File(s)FLIMOLA FDP.pdf (1.15 MB)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
We describe a technique to measure the viscosity of stably levitated single micron-sized aerosol particles. Particle levitation allows the aerosol phase to be probed in the absence of potentially artefact-causing surfaces. To achieve this feat, we combined two laser based techniques: optical trapping for aerosol particle levitation, using a counter-propagating laser beam configuration, and fluorescent lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) of molecular rotors for the measurement of viscosity within the particle. Unlike other techniques used to measure aerosol particle viscosity, this allows for the non-destructive probing of viscosity of aerosol particles without interference from surfaces. The well-described viscosity of sucrose aerosol, under a range of relative humidity conditions, is used to validate the technique. Furthermore we investigate a pharmaceutically-relevant mixture of sodium chloride and salbutamol sulphate under humidities representative of in vivo drug inhalation. Finally, we provide a methodology for incorporating molecular rotors into already levitated particles, thereby making the FLIM/optical trapping technique applicable to real world aerosol systems, such as atmospheric aerosols and those generated by pharmaceutical inhalers.
Date Issued
2016-07-07
Date Acceptance
2016-07-07
Citation
Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 2016, 18, pp.21710-21719
ISSN
1463-9084
Publisher
Royal Society of Chemistry
Start Page
21710
End Page
21719
Journal / Book Title
Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics
Volume
18
Copyright Statement
This journal is © the Owner Societies 2016
Sponsor
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC)
Grant Number
EP/I003983/1
Subjects
Chemical Physics
02 Physical Sciences
03 Chemical Sciences
Publication Status
Published