Using a novel method developed to quantify the polarizability of photoluminescent nanoparticles in water, we present experimental observations of the extraordinary polarizability exhibited by nanoparticles of commensurate size with the Debye screening length, confirming previously reported theory. Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are ideal model nanoparticles to demonstrate this assay, due to their tunable size and bright photoluminescence. This assay is based upon microfluidic chambers with microelectrodes that generate trapping potentials that are weaker than thermal energy. By comparing the local electric field strength and variations in QD concentration, their polarizability was computed and found to agree with estimates based upon the hydrodynamic diameter found using light scattering. Strikingly, the polarizability of the nanoparticles increased 30-fold in low salt conditions compared to high salt conditions due to the increased thickness of the Debye layer relative to the particle radius. In addition to providing evidence that corroborates theoretical work studying direct solutions to the Poisson-Nernst-Planck equations, these observations provide an explanation for the previously observed conductivity dependence of biomolecule polarizability. As the polarizability of nanoparticles is of high importance to the electrically directed assembly of particles, as well as their interactions with other materials in complex environments, we anticipate that these results will be highly relevant to ongoing efforts in materials by design and nanomedicine.
Keywords: Nanoparticle; dielectrophoresis; electrostatic double layer; field-directed assembly; polarizability; quantum dot.