Stony Brook geoscience researchers use zeta potential analyser to understand environmentally relevant properties at the nanomolecular scale.
Researchers at the Department of Geosciences at Stony Brook University in Long Island, USA, are using the ZetaPlus potential analyser from Brookhaven Instruments to understand environmentally relevant properties at the nanomolecular scale.
The addition of Brookhaven's phase analysis light scattering (Pals) facility allows surface charge measurements of iron mono-sulphide, generated by bacteria contained within marine sediment, to be taken in high ionic strength solutions including seawater.
Martin Schoonen, director of the aqueous geochemistry laboratory, explained: "We are interested in characterising the interactions of a metal with an earth material and the size of the material that is forming in situ.
"It is critical for us to be able to measure the surface charge of iron mono-sulphide in seawater conditions as this changes the properties of the particles and the ZetaPlus analyser with Pals is the only instrument that offers us this option.
"The ZetaPlus analyser is a very robust machine, easy to use and came with impressive service.
"Brookhaven staff have shown a really genuine interest in what we are doing and how they could help us achieve our needs."
