Study of Spectroscopic Properties of Nanosized Particles of Core-shell Morphology

Nanosized organic, inorganic or hybrid particles of different origin of core-shell morphology are targets of interest of material science, nanomedicine, nanotechnology. Fundamentally new properties and... [ view full abstract ]

Nanosized organic, inorganic or hybrid particles of different origin of core-shell morphology are targets of interest of material science, nanomedicine, nanotechnology. Fundamentally new properties and functions of nanoscaled materials are widely applied in medical diagnostic, drug delivery and nanosensory systems. Study of spectroscopic properties of bio or non-bioparticles, determination of resonance wavelength range, specific and unique "spectral" signatures is important in sensing and identification of nanobioparticles, viruses. Method of studying is based on the concept, which considers the viruses as physical objects characterized by the set of electro-geometric parameters. Elaboration of relevant models of viruses, estimation of spectral response on interaction of electromagnetic (EM) field and viral nanoparticle is the goal of  proposed methodology. Core-shell model of virion, the extracellular infective form  of a virus, is used as the first approximation of shape-structure of virion. Theoretical solution is based on Maxwell's EM theory, separation of variables  method for solving Helmholtz's equation. Rigorous theoretical solution of EM wave  scattering problem on spherical core-shell particle is applied to nanosized virus-like particles (VLPs) of icosahedral morphology for determination of EM fields in  the areas of core, shell and surrounding medium of VLP, as well as scattering or absorption characteristics. Theoretical and numerical results are demonstrated for estimation of "spectra" of bacteriophage T7 obtained by computer simulation, based on MatLab software. Analysis shows: expected spectral response is observable on far-field characterizations; spectroscopic characteristics strongly depend on core-shell related electric and geometric parameters of VLP in resonance wavelengths range (Ultra-Violet for VLP-T7); resonance wavelengths could be associated with the values corresponding to the maximums of scattering cross (σ) sections - total and forward or backward, respective to wave propagation directions. Proposed method should be applied for investigation, appreciation and modelling of spectral properties of nano/micro particles of core-shell structure,  including un-enveloped viruses. Obtained analytical EM field expressions,  modelling technique in complement with experimental spectroscopic methods should be the way of providing the virus spectral signatures, important in nanobioparticles characterization. Findings are applicable in nanobioscience, nanomaterials engineering, aerosol spectroscopic studies as well. The work was supported by Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation (SRNSF), project no.FR/430/3-250/13.