Malvern Instruments has revealed that a research team at Sheffield University is using a Zetasizer Nano particle characterisation system to monitor the rapid and efficient production of nanolatexes.
The Department of Chemistry team is led by Prof Steven Armes.
The Zetasizer Nano can determine the particle size distribution and also monitor the zeta potential, making it a suitable characterisation tool for following the in situ synthesis of many types of polymer colloids, such as latexes, microgels or colloidal nanocomposite particles.
According to Armes, the Zetasizer Nano is easy to use, enabling students to familiarise themselves with it very quickly.
He said: 'We are making block copolymer nanolatexes directly in water using a versatile and efficient aqueous dispersion polymerisation formulation.
'By targeting an appropriate block composition, we can prepare spherical nanoparticles of pre-determined diameter within the technologically important 25-100nm size range at relatively high particle concentrations.
'Recently, we have extended our formulation to prepare worm-like polymer particles and hollow particles known as vesicles,' he added.
In addition, the electrophoretic behaviour of the Sheffield team's nanolatexes strongly depends on the chemical nature of the polymeric stabiliser that is selected.
If cationic or anionic polyelectrolytes are used, this has a profound effect on the zeta potential of the nanolatex, as confirmed using the Zetasizer Nano instrument.
The research team is purchasing a second Zetasizer Nano in order to ensure it has enough capacity for its expanding research programme in this area.
