ABSTRACT

Theoretical background, instrumentation, and applications of “conventional” sedimentation field-flow fractionation in thin channels (SdFFF) and “non-conventional” sedimentation coiled-tube field-flow fractionation (CTFFF) in rotating columns are summarized and compared. Applications are classified into three main groups: environmental studies, material science, and biological studies.

SdFFF is a versatile separation and sizing method applicable to complex particulate matter such as environmental samples, engineered particles, cells, etc. However, the mass of injected particles does not usually exceed 10–20 µg to avoid overloading. CTFFF enables the mass of the particulate sample to be increased up to grams. Despite its low resolution as compared to SdFFF, CTFFF has important niche applications. It opens a new door into the isolation of nano- and submicron particles from bulk samples of different origin and nature. In addition, CTFFF is a very promising instrument for the separation and purification of nano- and microparticles at preparative and even industrial scale.

Abbreviations: A4F – Asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation; CSF – Conventional SPLITT fractionation; CTFFF – Coiled-tube field-flow fractionation; CV-ETAAS – Cold vapor electrothermal atomic absorption spectroscopy; DLS – Dynamic light scattering; EDS – Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy; ES-SMPS – Electrospray-scanning mobility particle sizer; ETAAS – Electrothermal atomic absorption spectroscopy; FE – Fractionation efficiency; FFDSF – Full feed depletion SPLITT fractionation; FFF – Field-flow fractionation; ICP-AES – Inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry; ICP-MS – Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry; LD – Laser diffraction; MAD – Monoolein aqueous dispersions; MALS – Multi-angle light scattering; NLC – Nanostructured lipid carriers; NP – Nanoparticle; NTA – Nanoparticle tracking analysis; OM – Optical microscopy; PS – Polystyrene; PSD – Particle size distribution; RCC – Rotating coiled column; SdFFF – Sedimentation field-flow fractionation in thin channels; SEM – Scanning electron microscopy; SP-ICP-MS – Single-particle inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry; SPLITT – Split-flow thin-cell fractionation; TEM – Transmission electron microscopy; UV – Ultraviolet detector

摘要

总结和比较了薄通道中“常规”沉降场流分馏（SdFFF）和旋转柱中“非常规”沉降连续管场流分馏（CTFFF）的理论背景、仪器和应用。应用程序分为三大类：环境研究、材料科学和生物学研究。

SdFFF 是一种通用的分离和分级方法，适用于复杂的颗粒物，如环境样品、工程颗粒、细胞等。但是，注入颗粒的质量通常不超过 10–20 µg，以避免过载。CTFFF 可使颗粒样品的质量增加到克。尽管与 SdFFF 相比分辨率较低，但 CTFFF 具有重要的利基应用。它为从不同来源和性质的大量样品中分离纳米和亚微米颗粒打开了一扇新的大门。此外，CTFFF 是一种非常有前途的仪器，用于在制备甚至工业规模上分离和纯化纳米颗粒和微粒。

缩写：A4F——非对称流场-流分馏；CSF——传统的 SPLITT 分馏；CTFFF——连续管场流分馏；CV-ETAAS – 冷蒸气电热原子吸收光谱；DLS——动态光散射；EDS——能量色散X射线光谱；ES-SMPS – 电喷雾扫描迁移率粒度仪；ETAAS——电热原子吸收光谱；FE——分馏效率；FFDSF – 全进料消耗 SPLITT 分馏；FFF——场流分馏；ICP-AES – 电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱法；ICP-MS – 电感耦合等离子体质谱；LD——激光衍射；MAD——单油精水分散体；MALS——多角度光散射；NLC——纳米结构脂质载体；NP——纳米粒子；NTA——纳米粒子追踪分析；OM——光学显微镜；PS——聚苯乙烯；PSD——粒度分布；RCC——旋转盘绕柱；SdFFF——细通道中的沉降场流分馏；SEM——扫描电子显微镜；SP-ICP-MS – 单粒子电感耦合等离子体质谱仪；SPLITT – 分流薄细胞分级；TEM——透射电子显微镜；UV – 紫外检测器