Figure 1.

AFM and SEM images of ivy nanoparticles. (a) AFM scan of dense ivy nanoparticles secreted directly from an adventitious root. (b) AFM scan of dense ivy nanoparticles isolated using the procedure developed in this study. (c) Small cluster of ivy nanoparticles imaged by AFM after dilution from the concentrated sample collected from the column. The inset of (c) shows an SEM image of a single ivy nanoparticle prepared the same as the diluted AFM sample. Note that the size of an individual nanoparticle is slightly smaller by AFM; however, artefacts related to tip–particle interactions can greatly affect size measurements using AFM.