Light Scattering and Turbidimetry Techniques for the Characterization of Nanoparticles and Nanostructured Networks

Abstract

Light scattering and turbidimetry techniques are classical tools for characterizing the dynamics and structure of single nanoparticles or nanostructured networks. They work by analyzing, as a function of time (Dynamic Light Scattering, DLS) or angles (Static Light Scattering, SLS), the light scattered by a sample, or measuring, as a function of the wavelength, the intensity scattered over the entire solid angle when the sample is illuminated with white light (Multi Wavelength Turbidimetry, MWT). Light scattering methods probe different length scales, in the ranges of (DLS), or (Wide Angle SLS), or (Low Angle SLS), and some of them can be operated in a time-resolved mode, with the possibility of characterizing not only stationary, but also aggregating, polymerizing, or self-assembling samples. Thus, the combined use of these techniques represents a powerful approach for studying systems characterized by very different length scales. In this work, we will review some typical applications of these methods, ranging from the field of colloidal fractal aggregation to the polymerization of biologic networks made of randomly entangled nanosized fibers. We will also discuss the opportunity of combining together different scattering techniques, emphasizing the advantages of a global analysis with respect to single-methods data processing.

Biosynthesis of Cry5B-Loaded Sulfur Nanoparticles using Arthrobotrys oligospora Filtrate: Effects on Nematicidal Activity, Thermal Stability, and Pathogenicity against Caenorhabditis elegans

“…Dynamic light scattering (DLS) was also used to determine the size distribution of particle size samples with a submicron scale and provide the surface charge or zeta potential (Zpotential) value of nanoparticles, whereas static light scattering (SLS) or laser diffraction was only utilized to determine the size distribution of nanoparticles with a micron-scale particle size. 35 The results indicated that the particle size of AO-SNPs, as determined by DLS, had an average size of 450 nm (Figure 2a), which is consistent with the FE-SEM result. In contrast, the average particle size of the PDB-SNPs determined by SLS was 0.6 μm (Figure 2b).…”

“…DLS is preferable for spherical particle size characterization by measuring the hydrodynamic radius. , In contrast to the AO-SNPs, which had a uniform spherical shape, the PDB-SNPs had irregular morphologies; as a result, the hydrodynamic size distribution acquired by using DLS was excessively variable and could not be quantified. However, static light scattering (SLS) is a method for determining the absolute molecular weight by examining the relationship between the light intensity scattered by a particle and its size and molecular weight . The apparent similarity in particle size values between AO-SNPs and PDB-SNPs measured by SLS could be due to their comparable molecular masses rather than size.…”

“…However, static light scattering (SLS) is a method for determining the absolute molecular weight by examining the relationship between the light intensity scattered by a particle and its size and molecular weight. 35 The apparent similarity in particle size values between AO-SNPs and PDB-SNPs measured by SLS could be due to their comparable molecular masses rather than size. This assumption was later supported by an FE-SEM examination of particle size and morphology, which indicated that PDB-SNPs did, in fact, have larger particle sizes.…”

Effect of Transglutaminase Post-Treatment on the Stability and Swelling Behavior of Casein Micro-Particles

“…The model is also supported by the fact that both the maximum degree of swelling of this uncross-linked casein fraction and the correlation length of the microstructure is pH-independent, and that both lengths decrease with increasing TGase treatment time. Future use of angle-dependent light scattering, ultra-small angle X-ray scattering as well as high-resolution microscopic techniques also allowing nanomechanical characterisation may help in further determining whether the hypothesis of core-shell assembly of TGase-treated casein microparticles is valid [ 53 , 54 , 55 ]. Furthermore, it should be verified whether during TGase treatment inclusion of non-desirable matter such as TGase itself occurs.…”

Dynamic Monitoring of Biomolecular Hydrodynamic Dimensions by Magnetization Motion on Quartz Crystal Microbalance

“…Stokes–Einstein equation defines the relationship between the speed of a particle’s Brownian motion and its hydrodynamic size. Among them, dynamic light scattering (DLS) ,− is the most widely used method, which records the scattered light fluctuations caused by the Brownian motion of particles. Derivatively, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy − measures fluorescence fluctuations to evaluate the HD of fluorescently labeled molecules, and nanoparticle tracking analysis − solves HD by tracking and locating scattered light images of minority/single particles to calculate particle diffusion velocity.…”