Distinguishing Protein Corona from Nanoparticle Aggregate Formation in Complex Biological Media Using X-ray Photon Correlation Spectroscopy

In biological systems, nanoparticles interact with biomolecules, which may undergo protein corona formation that can result in noncontrolled aggregation. Therefore, comprehending the behavior and evolution of nanoparticles in the presence of biological fluids is paramount in nanomedicine. However, traditional lab-based colloid methods characterize diluted suspensions in low-complexity media, which hinders in-depth studies in complex biological environments. Here, we apply X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS) to investigate silica nanoparticles (SiO2) in various environments, ranging from low to high complex biological media. Interestingly, SiO2 revealed Brownian motion behavior, irrespective of the complexity of the chosen media. Moreover, the SiO2 surface and media composition were tailored to underline the differences between a corona-free system from protein corona and aggregates formation. Our results highlighted XPCS potential for real-time nanoparticle analysis in biological media, surpassing the limitations of conventional techniques and offering deeper insights into colloidal behavior in complex environments.