Dynamic light scattering is a technique fundamental to particle measurement and characterization. It is typically used to illuminate the dimensions of particles in samples as well as identifying specific biomechanical and chemical characteristics under certain conditions.
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Heterogeneous liquid samples are frequently subjected to dynamic light scattering as the method depends on the Brownian Motion effect to identify dispersed particles by their hydrodynamic radii. This axiom allows dynamic light scattering tools to measure the thermodynamic stability of elaborate emulsions by carefully inspecting the particle migration phenomena as a function of time. It can also be used to examine protein interactions.
What is Brownian Motion?
Brownian motion is the volatile and seemingly arbitrary transfer of dispersed particles within a continuous or semi-continuous mobile phase. This phenomenon is identified by multiple complex mechanisms such as the zeta potential of the colloidal system and gravitational settling. Conductive to colloidal instability, it can initiate particle collisions and separations from the mobile phase, but it can also be utilized to quantify and measure particles in solution.
How Does Dynamic Light Scattering Work?
By shining an incident light source, usually a monochromatic laser beam, into a sample, dynamic light scattering can characterize particle size. The sample may be a formulation of an end-product or several particles scattered in a carrier fluid. When the collision between fine laser beam and nanoparticles occurs within the solution it disperses, diffracting in various directions throughout the sample. An output beam is then obtained by an optical detector and any changes in the intensity of the laser beam are measured as a function of time.
This data is applied when calculating the size (hydrodynamic radius) of the particles in solution. Moreover, this information can be used by chemists researching the behavior of colloidal systems, providing a clear understanding of their thermodynamic stability in real-world transportation, storage, and usage conditions.
Dynamic Light Scattering with Jordi Labs
Jordi Labs is one of the principal suppliers of analytical chemistry solutions in the US. Offering cutting-edge dynamic light scattering tools to support the measurement of scattered particles and emulsions below the 2.5-micron (um) level. Jordi’s dynamic and effective light scattering services are appropriate for characterizing polymers, proteins, nanoparticles, carbohydrates, micelles, and more with excellent precision relative to the identification of particles down to a single nanometer (nm).
For more information about Jordi’s dynamic light scattering capabilities get in contact.
This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by Jordi Labs.
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