Success in Highly Sensitive Visualization of Platinum Nanoparticles on Hair by Analysis Using High-Brilliance Synchrotron Radiation (Press Release)
- Release Date
- 07 Jan, 2010
- BL24XU (Hyogo ID)
7 January 2010
Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
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Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd., has succeeded in the highly sensitive visualization of an ultrasmall amount of platinum nanoparticles*3 on the surface of a hair, with the cooperation of the Hyogo-Prefectural Synchrotron Radiation Nanotechnology Laboratory*1 (within SPring-8*2). So far, the visualization of platinum nanoparticles on the surface of a hair has been very difficult using conventional analytical methods and equipment because only nanograms*4 of platinum nanoparticles are attached on a hair, in addition to the fact that hair is a biological tissue. For example, electron beams*5 can be used to analyze inorganic substances with high sensitivity and precision; however, they cannot be used for visualizing the microstructure of a hair because its surface is burnt and damaged when exposed to irradiation by electron beams. Furthermore, conventional analytical equipment using X-rays*5, which do not damage hair, cannot detect nanograms of substances because of the very low brilliance of X-rays. In this research, microbeam X-ray fluorescence analysis*7 was carried out using SPring-8 high-brilliance synchrotron radiation, which has the world's highest performance*6, enabling the high-sensitivity detection of nanograms of platinum nanoparticles on a hair without damaging the hair. The high-brilliance X-rays, focused to a micrometer*8 spot, have a performance equivalent to that of a microscope with 1000× magnification. Accordingly, the distribution of platinum nanoparticles on a hair was visualized in a magnified image (mapping image), in which each layer of the cuticle could be seen. The microstructure of the attachment of platinum nanoparticles on hair has been clarified for the first time in the world*9. In the future, Panasonic will apply this analytical method to develop various hair-care products and as a technology for evaluating various types of damage to hair, not only that caused by ultraviolet rays. |
[Demonstration method and result]
Two different human hairs were compared: one was a healthy hair treated by spraying platinum nanoparticles continuously for 3 hours using Panasonic's original platinum nanoparticle generator, and the other was untreated. Artificial ultraviolet rays were then continuously irradiated for 30 days (corresponding to 12 months), then the hairs were subjected to microbeam X-ray fluorescence analysis using synchrotron radiation produced by the Hyogo ID Beamline, BL24XU, at SPring-8.
The X-ray fluorescence specific to platinum was clearly observed for the human hair treated by spraying platinum nanoparticles for 3 hours despite the ultrasmall (nanogram) amount of platinum nanoparticles. In contrast, no platinum-specific X-ray fluorescence was observed for the untreated human hair.
These results were presented at the 64th Conference of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists of Japan (SSCJ)*10 held on 17 June 2009.
[Supplement]
The antioxidation effect*11 of platinum nanoparticles on hair and skin is well known. Active oxygen*12 is generated from the surface of hair and skin upon exposure to ultraviolet rays. In the case of hair, the active oxygen causes cuticles to separate and other types of damage. Platinum nanoparticles are considered to have an antioxidation effect, that is, they remove active oxygen using their catalytic function, and they have been used in various products such as cosmetics and nutrition supplements.
<Glossary>
*1 Hyogo-Prefectural Synchrotron Radiation Nanotechnology Laboratory
was established at SPring-8 by the Hyogo Prefectural Government with the aim of further promoting the industrial application of synchrotron radiation.
*2 SPring-8
is a large-scale synchrotron radiation facility under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. SPring-8 was constructed by Japan Atomic Energy Agency and RIKEN, and is operated and managed by Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute.
*3 Platinum nanoparticles
are composed of platinum elements and have a diameter of about one nanometer (one-billionth of a meter).
*4 One nanogram
is one-billionth of a gram.
*5 The constituent element of a substance
is identified by irradiating electron beams or X-rays as a probe onto a sample of the substance and detecting the beams or rays specific to the element emitted as a result of the interaction with the element.
*6 The world's highest performance
Please visit the following site.
http://www.spring8.or.jp/en/about_us/whats_sr/
*7 In general, X-ray fluorescence analysis
is an instrumental analytical technique for identifying a substance by irradiating X-rays onto a sample and detecting the emitted X-ray fluorescence specific to the element in the sample. The X-rays of SPring-8 can maintain their high brilliance even when focused to a micrometer spot.
*8 One micrometer
is one-millionth of a meter. The diameter of a human hair is about 60 μm.
*9 The first time in the world
As of 7 January 2010, this achievement is the world's first successful demonstration of the visualization of an ultrasmall amount of metal particles on the surface of a hair (researched by Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.)
*10 The Society of Cosmetic Chemists of Japan (SSCJ)
The SCCJ Conference focuses on cosmetics and is organized by the SCCJ with the aim of providing information and a forum for engineers involved in the research, development, and manufacture of cosmetics.
*11 The antioxidation effect
The antioxidation effect protects the body from active oxygen (suppresses the generation of active oxygen).
*12 Active oxygen
is a chemical species of oxygen that is chemically activated and, in general, is very unstable and exhibits strong oxidative power.
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