SEM and TEM are expensive test, therefore I look for a cheap way to do it.
By using a Particle size analyzer (i.e. 90Plus Brookhaven, Malvern, etc.) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) technique you can measure effective (hydrodynamic) diameter, particle size distribution weighted by intensity or number or volume and polydispersity. However you have to be careful to samples preparation so that to have a stable suspension and well dispersed nanoparticles (NPs) in oil. Also you have to know the refractive index of NPs, refractive index of oil and viscosity of oil. You should expect that DLS analysis will reveal higher NPs size than the one that should be observed in SEM and TEM analyses because "the hydrodynamic diameter is the diameter of a sphere that has the same translational diffusion coefficient as the particle being
measured. This coefficient depends not only on the size of the particle ‘‘core,’’ but also on any surface structure, as well as the concentration and type of ions in the medium" (Kaszuba, M., McKnight, D., Connah, M.T. et al. J Nanopart Res (2008) 10: 823. doi:10.1007/s11051-007-9317-4; http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11051-007-9317-4). Therefore you should try to perform SEM and/or TEM analyses, too.
If they are nanoparticles the TEM is the only solution!!!
I think that you have no choice
best regards
Grazia
Particle size analyzer with Dynamic light scattering (DLS), is one way. It is also pretty simple to use. It also gives the size distribution of the particles.
Here is a Wikipedia link
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamic_light_scattering
Hello,
Depending on the nature of nanoparticles, a UV-visible absorption spectrum can give you first idea of particle size and aggregation in the oil. It works well for plasmonic nanoparticles for example (gold, silver) that present a typical resonance peak in the spectra. The center wavelength and shape of this peak depend on particle size and shape
Good Luck.
By using a Particle size analyzer (i.e. 90Plus Brookhaven, Malvern, etc.) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) technique you can measure effective (hydrodynamic) diameter, particle size distribution weighted by intensity or number or volume and polydispersity. However you have to be careful to samples preparation so that to have a stable suspension and well dispersed nanoparticles (NPs) in oil. Also you have to know the refractive index of NPs, refractive index of oil and viscosity of oil. You should expect that DLS analysis will reveal higher NPs size than the one that should be observed in SEM and TEM analyses because "the hydrodynamic diameter is the diameter of a sphere that has the same translational diffusion coefficient as the particle being
measured. This coefficient depends not only on the size of the particle ‘‘core,’’ but also on any surface structure, as well as the concentration and type of ions in the medium" (Kaszuba, M., McKnight, D., Connah, M.T. et al. J Nanopart Res (2008) 10: 823. doi:10.1007/s11051-007-9317-4; http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11051-007-9317-4). Therefore you should try to perform SEM and/or TEM analyses, too.
You can use particle size analyzer. there are PSAs for nanoparticles analysis, but you have to find one that is suitable.
Dear Nizar,
As mentioned by other respected colleagues, there are various particle size analysers (PSA) available (Zetasizer/ Nanopsizers/ DLS etc.), which can be used for particle size distribution analysis.
However, these PSA techniques are normally used as quick/ complementary analysis with SEM/ TEM analysis and the particle size distribution is averaged and can be far off from real size distribution depending on factors like sample preparation, sample nature/quality and human error.
Furthermore, you can not get the particle shape distribution using PSA techniques (in fact you have to assume your particles exhibit homogenous shape which is not always true) and have to use SEM/TEM analysis.
So in conclusion, you somehow need to use SEM/ TEM analysis for detailed and more accurate particle size and shape distribution analysis, and to be able to publish your findings in good impact factor journals.
Wish you all the best.
Dr,
You can that by using partical size analysis and dynamic light scattering.
you check the size, shape and distribution of nanoparticles in nanooil by using laser(disttribution of powers) and you can use Particle size analyzes
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Engineering
- Materials Engineering