The Physics Department at the College of Wooster presented a study which investigated the effective diameter, polydispersity and average molecular weight of an unknown polymer in the solution phase using static and dynamic light scattering techniques as recorded by Brookhaven Instruments Software. The study was conducted by Katherine Frato and was entitled, “Characterization of an Unknown Polymer Using Static and Dynamic Light Scattering”.
Static and dynamic experiments were conducted using a Brookhaven goniometer. The sample cell was temperature controlled and immersed in naphthalene that was filtered to remove dust. Initial data analysis was conducted using Brookhaven Goniometer Alignment Software and Brookhaven Dynamic Light Scattering Software. Through the effectiveness and accuracy of Brookhaven Instruments, Katherine Frato and her team were able to effectively characterize an unknown polymer in the solution phase. Additionally, the study was able to describe the significance of using both static and dynamic light scattering techniques in particle characterization.
Static and dynamic light scattering techniques are two different experimental methods in particle characterization but give complimentary information. Static light scattering measures light intensity as a function of scattering angle and solute concentration. This allows the determination of average molecular weight, radius of gyration, and shape information for the solute. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) is an experimental method, which uses the intensity and polarization of light scattered from a solution to characterize the size, shape, and interactions of the particles in a within it.
Brookhaven Instruments features equipment that meets the requirements for rapid, reliable and convenient particle size analyzers for both static and dynamic light scattering techniques.
Instruments: