Strategy of a separation technique for different particles with the same size and zeta potential: Application of non-additive Asakura-Oosawa theory

In this letter, we use knowledge gained from our recent study to present a technique for separation of nanoparticles such as exosomes, anticancer drugs, and vaccines. The technique involves adding non-adsorptive polymers to a system in which two types of nanoparticles with the same size and zeta potential are dispersed. The different types of nanoparticles can be separated based on differences in their hydrophobicities and softness of the polymer. Using the non-additive Asakura-Oosawa theory and assuming a realistic model system, we were able to separate the two types of the particles with the same size and zeta potential in the model system.