Individual Nanoparticle Detection in Liquids by Thermal Lens Microscopy and Improvement of Detection Efficiency Using a 1-µm Microfluidic Channel

Abstract

Nanoparticles are a key material in nanoscience and nanotechnology due to their unique physicochemical properties, so an analytical method is increasingly required. In the present research, we developed a method for individual nanoparticle detection by thermal lens microscopy and microfluidic chips. Pulsed signals were clearly observed, as nanoparticles were passing through the detection volume. The scale of the microfluidic channel was reduced from 100 to 1 µm to improve the detection efficiency. As a result, a detection efficiency of 100% was demonstrated.