Particle characterisation
The characterisation of the surface of solid particles is very important, which is particularly true during the process of dispersion. The BCC has equipment available that allows for an evaluation of the surface area and the pore size distribution. Also the electrochemical properties of the particle surfaces have an extremely important role to play in controlling the properties of colloidal dispersions. We are well placed to measure both the zeta potential and surface charge on particles, as well as the particle size and particle size distribution. For further information about the techniques available for particle characterisation please do not hesitate to email bcc@bristol.ac.uk. Specific instrumentation available at the Bristol Colloid Centre includes:
- Hitachi S2300 X-RAY SEM, which includes a full EDAX system for elemental analysis of a sample surface.
- Lasentec M200 Focused Beam Reflectance Measurement (FBRM) - particle sizing technique for concentrated dispersions
- Brookhaven Zeta Plus - zeta potential measurements using laser optics.
- Brookhaven Instruments DCP-1000 disk centrifuge
- Brookhaven PCS system consisting of BI-200SM goniometer and BI-9000 digital correlator with a Coherent I70-2, 2W Ar ion tuneable laser
- Matec Acoustophoresis MBS 8000 - zeta potential measurements using the Electronic Sonic Amplitude (ESA).
- Coulter Multisizer and Malvern Mastersizer - particle size and particle size distribution measurements.
- Quantachrome Autosorb 1 (surface area determination) and Quantachrome Autoscan 60 (pore size and pore size distribution).