Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS)
| Instrument | Zetasizer Nano ZS, Malvern Pananalytical |
| Hydrodynamic mass range | 1 nm – 10 µm |
| Temperature range | 2 – 70 °C (PMMA Cuvettes) 2 – 120 °C (Glass/Quartz Cuvettes) |
| Cuvette types available | PMMA Curvettes Zetapotential cell Low volume (< 20 µL) zetapotential cell |
Hydrodynamic particle size
Dynamic light scattering is a non-invasive technique used to characterize hydrodynamic diameter (Dh) and size distribution of macromolecular particles dispersed in dilute solution. In solution, large particles undergo Brownian motion due to collision with solvent molecules. As large particles scatter light, this motion leads to fluctuations in the intensity of scattered light. The rate of fluctuations is directly related to the rate of diffusion of particles through solution with smaller particles diffusing faster. The instrument uses this information to determine the diffusion coefficient and, thus, the hydrodynamic radius (Rh). It is important to note that hydrodynamic diameters/radii are determined based on a hard sphere, so size determination of non-spherical morphologies will be less accurate.
This technique is most commonly applied to proteins, polymers, nanoparticles, and gels.