Morphological characteristics were determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM; JEM-100CX II; JEOL, Tokyo, Japan), scanning electron microscopy (SEM; Supra 55VP; Carl Zeiss Meditec, Jena, Germany) and confocal laser-scanning microscopy (CLSM; FV-1000; Olympus, Tokyo, Japan). For TEM, a drop of diluted suspension of FBSA was placed on a copper grid, and the air-dried specimen was observed. For SEM, a drop of diluted suspension was deposited on a silicon wafer. The air-dried sample was coated with gold and observed. FBSA-RhB particles were observed by CLSM at an excitation wavelength of 555 nm and an emission wavelength of 580 nm.
The FBSA particles were dispersed in ultrapure water at a concentration of 0.1 mg/mL. Zeta potential was determined by a Zetasizer Nano ZS particle-size analyzer (Malvern Instruments, Malvern, UK). FBSA particles with or without desalting were air-dried and observed by SEM. An energy-spectrum analysis was performed on the “petals” to qualify and quantify the elemental composition.
FBSA particles fixed with GA were divided into three parts: one for control, one for desalting, and another one for reaction with CaCl2. The three specimens were dried by evaporation, and confirmed by an X’Pert Pro X-ray diffractometer (Spectris, Egham, UK).
The FBSA particles were dispersed in ultrapure water at a concentration of 0.1 mg/mL. Zeta potential was determined by a Zetasizer Nano ZS particle-size analyzer (Malvern Instruments, Malvern, UK). FBSA particles with or without desalting were air-dried and observed by SEM. An energy-spectrum analysis was performed on the “petals” to qualify and quantify the elemental composition.
FBSA particles fixed with GA were divided into three parts: one for control, one for desalting, and another one for reaction with CaCl2. The three specimens were dried by evaporation, and confirmed by an X’Pert Pro X-ray diffractometer (Spectris, Egham, UK).