Optoacoustic measurement of nanoparticle degradation in physiological media

Here we demonstrate application of optoacoustic technology for real-time measurement of inorganic nanoparticle degradation. We analysed kinetics of silicon nanoparticle dissolution in various physiological buffers. Silicon shows acceleration of degradation rate with the increase of pH and salt concentration. Screening dissolution rate of light-absorbing nanoparticles with optoacoustics can improve rational design of drug carriers for biomedical applications.