Journal of Nanomedicine & Nanotechnology

Effects of dilution on particle size measurement in dynamic light scattering

3^rd International Conference on Nanotek & Expo

December 02-04, 2013 Hampton Inn Tropicana, Las Vegas, NV, USA

Lily Zu and Stefan Steigerwald

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Nanomed Nanotechnol

Abstract:

The purpose of this paper is to articulate the effects of sample dilutionin particle size measurement using DLS technology, and how these effects may be minimized by using Photon Cross Correlation Spectroscopy (PCCS). Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) is a non-invasive, fast and well established technique for characterizing submicron particle size and distribution. Generally, it requires significant sample dilution in order to achieve a correct result by avoiding multiple scattering phenomena. Sample dilution may change the chemical environment of the suspended particles in the sample. As a result, the measured size and distribution may deviate from its original value. PCCS is a subset of DLS, extending the range of sample concentrations that can be measured with DLS up to 106. A set of measurements for a series diluted NIST traceable monodispersed polystyrene latex nanoparticles gives comparative results for using PCCS vs PCS. It enables the clarification and verification of concentration dependency in particle size measurements and eliminates many of the assumptions in DLS measurements which are inherent with sample dilutionsthat may lead to skewed conclusions in a real application. Graph1 shows two repetitive PCCS measurements give a correct peak diameter of 101nm (green and blue curve), and PCS measurements give an artificially smaller peak diameter of 55nm (red and purple curve) in the concentration level

Biography :

Lily Zu is the manager of nanoparticle division for Sympatec GmbH, and a member of the ISO committee for particle characterization. She has 22 years of experience in dynamic and static laser light scattering as well as sedimentation instrumentation design. She specializes in physical characterization of nanoparticles and macromolecules, including submicron particle size and distribution; electrophoretic mobility and phase analysis on zeta potential and size exclusion chromatography on molecular weight analysis using multi-angle light scattering. She is the inventor of the Optical Ball Lens Light Scattering Apparatus and Method