Ask an Expert: Master zeta potential analysis no matter the material
Join our upcoming Ask an Expert! webinar for practical tips on measuring zeta potential across even the trickiest samples.
What do water purification specialists, paint manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, and the makers of delicious snacks all have in common? You guessed it (hopefully!) – they all rely on zeta potential measurements at some stage of their production.
So, why is zeta potential so important?
There’s a very good reason that such a huge variety of industries all need to measure basically the same thing: these are essential products which we all rely on, and we need them to be – well, reliable!
Zeta potential measurements are key to this, because they give data on how much the particles in a formulation attract or repel each other and therefore how stable it is, and how it’s likely to behave over time. Any variation in the stability of essential products could cause big issues further down the line, so formulations are tested early on to make sure that the best version is selected.
All this also makes it nice and easy to compare formulations, to make sure that testing costs as little as possible in both time and resources.
And how do we measure it?
Electrophoretic light scattering (ELS) is a technique that measures this zeta potential in particle dispersions and macromolecular solutions. The basic scientific principle is electrophoresis: the mobility of particles is measured as they migrate towards an oppositely charged electrode, and this gives the zeta potential data.
Malvern Panalytical’s market-leading Zetasizer range provides a complete solution for these experiments across all applications. Each model offers particle charge analysis (zeta potential) alongside the related measurements of particle size and molecular weight. To help you contextualize and understand your experiment results, they also include a data quality advice system based on deep-learning technology. This innovative system provides information on the quality of the data itself, which helps your measurements to be efficient and accurate.
Material matters
In most situations, this whole process is simple – most materials and formulations being tested lend themselves well to ELS. However, this is not always the case. If your sample includes a particularly challenging material, such as high-ionic-strength dispersants, or is unusually delicate, like proteins, accurate measurements can be hard to achieve. The sample itself can degrade during the experiment, or yield inaccurate results due to its composition. But don’t panic! There are some practical steps you can take to overcome these challenges and gain the accurate data that you need.
Want to hear the secrets to reliable zeta potential analysis? We’re sharing them in our webinar!
Our upcoming free Ask an Expert! webinar, I will discuss the best ways to ensure sample integrity, and share the secrets of mastering measurements. We work hard to make sure the Zetasizer is the best instrument of its kind, and so we want to make sure you get the most out of it!
On August 18, I will be giving practical tips and tricks to help you master zeta potential analysis, no matter the material. I will also be answering your questions to make sure that the aspects which matter most to you are covered.
The webinar is ideal for students, researchers, lab professionals and academics – or anyone who wants to know more about measuring formulation stability in the essential products we use every day. So don’t wait – register now to reserve your place!
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