We offer a full colloidal systems characterization service (micelles, vesicles, liposomes, liquid crystals, microemulsions, nanoemulsions, etc.), highly specialized.
Characterization includes determining size, morphology, phase transitions, rheology, and surface and interfacial properties.
The Colloidal Dispersions Characterization Service is part of the ICTS (Singular Scientific-Technical Infrastructure) NANBIOSIS, an infrastructure for the production and characterization of nanomaterials, biomaterials and biomedical systems.
Since October 2021, it has had a Quality Management System in accordance with the UNE-EN ISO 9001:2015 standard, certified by AENOR under reference ER-0510/2021.
3DDLS, LS Instruments
Photon correlation spectrometer (3DDLS, LS Instruments) for determining particle size distribution, shape, diffusion coefficient, aggregation number and molecular weight of colloidal dispersions. It performs dynamic (DLS) and static (SLS) light scattering measurements at a variable angle between 20° and 140°. The measurement range is from 2 nm to 1000 µm. This instrument, equipped with a He-Ne laser (632.8 nm), makes it possible to measure samples with higher turbidity, as it can suppress multiple scattering thanks to 3D technology. The software enables automatic estimation of particle size distribution using the Cumulants method or CONTIN analysis.
MASTERSIZER 2000, Malvern Instruments
The Mastersizer 2000 uses the light diffraction technique to determine particle size distribution. The instrument consists of a small-volume liquid dispersion unit (Hydro 2000G) for the analysis of emulsions, dispersions, etc., and a solid dispersion unit (Scirocco) to analyze powder samples. It is equipped with a 470 nm blue light source and a 632.8 nm red light source. Mie or Fraunhofer analysis can be used to determine particle size.
AR-G2 RHEOMETER (TA Instruments)
Determination of the rheological properties of fluids and soft materials under flow and deformation regimes through steady-state (viscosity, shear thinning, shear thickening) and dynamic measurements (elastic and viscous moduli, relaxation time, gelation time, etc.)
Controlled-stress rheometer with magnetic bearings that allow very low torques of 0.003 mN.m to be applied. Temperature is controlled with a Peltier system, enabling measurements between -10°C and 200°C. It has concentric cylinder, cone-plate and plate-plate geometries, as well as rough geometries for working with gels. It also has a device to control the temperature of the upper plate and an interfacial rheometry accessory.
Olympus BX51TRF-6 optical microscope
Enables observation of samples with transmitted or reflected light. It offers different observation techniques: bright field, dark field, phase contrast, differential interference contrast (DIC), polarization and fluorescence. It has two revolving nosepieces for working with and without cover slips. In addition, it has a digital camera (Olympus DP73) connected to the computer with software that allows image and video capture.
The CytoViva hyperspectral imaging (HSI) system enables spectral analysis of materials with the CytoViva Nanoscale optical microscope. It is a dark-field optical microscope with spectral analysis.
Varian Cary Eclipse spectrophotometer
Fluorescence measurements (emission, excitation), phosphorescence or chemo/bio-luminescence.
High-sensitivity instrument equipped with a Xe lamp (80 Hz). The wavelength range is 200–900 nm with an accuracy of +/- 1.5 nm.
Anton Paar 4500M
Determination of liquid density at controlled temperature (0–90°C) using the pulse excitation method.
Attension Sigma 701 (Biolin Scientific) high-resolution electro-balance and K12 force tensiometer (Krüss)
Determination of the critical micelle concentration (cmc), surface area per molecule and molar adsorption through surface tension measurements.
Attension Sigma 701 (Biolin Scientific) high-resolution electro-balance and K12 force tensiometer (Krüss). SITE “spinning drop” tensiometer (Krüss).
Attension Sigma 701 (Biolin Scientific) high-resolution electro-balance with software for control, acquisition and data processing. It has platinum plates (Wilhelmy method) and a ring (Du Nouy method), as well as magnetic stirring for sample homogenization. A K12 force tensiometer (Krüss) is also available.
A “spinning drop” tensiometer is also available for interfacial tension measurements (up to 10-5 mN.m-1).
Attension Sigma 701 (Biolin Scientific) high-resolution electro-balance and K12 force tensiometer (Krüss)
Contact angle measurement by tensiometry.
Turbiscan LAB (Formulaction)
Enables rapid and sensitive identification of destabilization mechanisms (creaming, sedimentation, flocculation, coalescence and Ostwald ripening)
Nano Z (Malvern Panalytical)
Determination of zeta potential in colloidal samples at controlled temperature. Determination of the isoelectric point by measuring zeta potential at variable pH. To determine the isoelectric point, measurements of at least five samples are required.
HitachiTM-1000 and Hitachi TM-4000 II Plus Tabletop Microscope
Morphological observation of solid samples. The electron microscope enables easy and rapid observation of the morphology of solid samples, such as polymeric and synthetic particles, meso/macroporous materials, tissues, etc. There is no need to coat the samples.
Sonopuls Bandelin ultrasonic homogenizer
The homogenizer produces high-amplitude ultrasonic waves (Power = 200 W). The instrument has several probe models depending on the type and amount of sample to be treated.
Enables homogenization of liquids, emulsification, dispersion and/or solubilization of solid agglomerates in liquids, acceleration of chemical reactions, sonochemistry, degassing of liquids, preparation of vesicle dispersions and dissolution of mixtures in general.
