Particle Analytics

The knowledge of the particle size and its distribution, the particle shape and morphology as well as the surface charge and its material composition is of essential importance for many questions in nano- and microtechnology. These particle properties can be determined by various methods available at Fraunhofer IGB.

Dynamic Light Scattering

By means of dynamic light scattering, also called photocorrelation spectroscopy (PCS), the size distribution of particles in the nanometer to micrometer range can be precisely and nondestructively analysed.

Static Light Scattering

Static light scattering can be used to analyze the size distribution of particles in the range from 50 nanometers to several 100 µm.

 

Zeta Potential

The zeta potential of a molecular solution or particle suspension is determined by applying an electric field to it, which then moves at a certain speed in dependence of its zeta potential. This velocity is used to determine the electrophoretic mobility, which in turn is used to calculate the zeta potential.

 

High Resolution Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM)

with electron and X-ray induced EDX analysis

Light Microscopy and Fluorescence Microscopy

 

Nanoparticle measurement with SP-ICP-MS

In single particle mode, ICP-MS is an element-specific method for the characterization of inorganic nanoparticles even in complex matrices such as cosmetics.