The SZ-100 nanopartica series are flexible analytical tools designed for characterizing the physical properties of small particles.
Based on the configuration and application, the tool can be used as a particle size analyzer, or used to measure molecular weight (MW), zeta potential, and second virial coefficient (A2). Common applications for the SZ-100 include nanoparticles, emulsions, colloids, and submicron suspensions.
Particle size analysis is done by dynamic light scattering (DLS). Based on the sample’s physical properties, the dynamic range is 0.3 nm–8 µm. The extent of light, concentration, and the presence of large, unwanted particles in the sample impacts the lower limit. The upper limit is impacted by the sample’s density since DLS is modeled on all motion coming from Brownian motion and not gravitational settling.
The SZ-100 characterizes the charge on the surface of particles by measuring the zeta potential of a suspension. The sample is injected into a disposable cell and a measurement of the particle electrophoretic mobility provides the calculated zeta potential. The sample’s zeta potential is most frequently used as an indicator of dispersion stability.
Large magnitude zeta potential values specify that an electrostatically stabilized suspension will stay stable. The zeta potential is mostly measured as a function of pH or other change in the chemistry to help formulators develop new products with a long shelf life.
On the other hand, identifying conditions at which the zeta potential is zero (meaning the sample is at the isoelectric point) allows users to select ideal conditions for flocculating and separating particles.
The SZ-100 can also be used to measure the molecular weight and second virial coefficient of polymers, proteins, and other molecules. The user prepares several solutions with known concentrations and then runs the system in a static light scattering mode to develop a Debye plot, which results in a calculation of both A2 and MW.
Features
- Particle size, molecular weight, zeta potential, and second virial coefficient in an all-in-one instrument
- Broad range of particle sizes and concentrations
- Many particle size measurement modes to allow user to work with small particles and weak scatterers
- Particle size measurements at both 90° and 173°
- Small volume cells for both zeta potential and particle size
SZ-100 Nanoparticle Size & Zeta Potential Analyzer