Hi.
I want to sonicate nanoparticles for dispersion, and also attempt some nanoparticle synthesis which requires sonication.
Most of the literature specifies use of a probe sonicator, but these are very expensive and would really stretch my budget. Is buying a reasonably powerful ultrasonic bath likely to get me comparable results (though perhaps taking longer)? Might this one https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07CGLZXP9/ref=sspa_dk_detail_2?psc=1 (120W) be up to the job?
Thanks
Hello Barney Pitt ,
It will probably depend on a variety of factors, such as the type of nanoparticle, solvent and volume.
See the following link for a discussion on the matter:
https://www.hielscher.com/probe-type-sonication-vs-ultrasonic-bath-an-efficiency-comparison.htm
We do use ultrasonic baths for creating dispersions of carbon nanotubes and other carbon materials in relatively small volumes (< 20 mL). The results are satisfactory and most importantly, reproducible.
We usually use small glass vials (4 mL) and make small "flotation jackets" by cutting small circles in some foam, we then push the vials through the foam ensuring the volume of the bath is sufficient to allow the vial to float around 10 mm above the floor of the bath. I should point out, I have found there is a difference in results depending on whether the glass vial makes contact with the metal surface of the bath (floor, or side), the metal surface of the mesh tray placed in the bath, or if the vial is floating.
Given that you may need to extend the treatment time, I would also suggest monitoring the temperature of your samples. They can easily gain temperature over an hour or so.
Jules
Thanks Jules. The article is informative (even though it is written by someone trying to sell probe sonicators!).
You say there are differences depending on whether vial is on the metal surface, or on the tray, or floating. Which have you found to be (a) most effective and (b) best reproducability?
When the vial is not floating, do you keep the bath empty or is it still liquid filled?
Barney
small handheld tip sonicators are a cheaper option than standard devices, but insufficient if you want to work with larger volumes.
Hello Barney Pitt ,
There is a lot more energy passed into the samples if the vial was contacting the metal surface of the bath. For some applications this was destructive (reducing the length of our CNTs too drastically), yet for other applications (such as glyconanoparticle dispersions) it produced very nice dispersions in a short amount of time with no adverse effects observed in SEM/TEM or through electrochemical characterisation.
I found all the methods were reproducible. When making contact with the metal floor/side/tray you just need to ensure the position does not change over time.
Jules
I am trying to sonicate around 250ml of emulsion(60% water) using a ultrasonic bath. Can I pour this emulsion directly in the device container and run the ultrasonic bath on this liquid. Would this be more or less effective than pouring it in glass container and sonicating it in a water medium.
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