U12. Nanostructured liquid characterization unit

U12-S01. Characterization of colloidal dispersions by Dynamic and Static Light Scattering (DLS and SLS) and Light Diffraction

Characterization of colloidal dispersions by Dynamic and Static Light Scattering (DLS and SLS) and Light Diffraction

For determination of size distribution in the 1-1000 nm range, we offer a Photon Correlation Spectrometer (PCS) for dynamic (DLS) and static (SLS) light scattering measurements for angles in the 20-140º range and capacity of suppressing multiple scattering thanks to the 3D-cross correlation technology (down to 5% of transmission for sub-micrometer sample thickness). The instrument is equipped with a He-Ne laser and its software allows the estimation of particle size by Cumulant or CONTIN analysis. It is also possible to measure non-ergodic samples with a rotating sample holder.
For determination of size distribution in the 100-10,000 nm range we offer a Mastersizer 2000 instrument that measures by means of laser diffraction the size and distribution of particles or droplets in suspension. It is equipped with a liquid dispersing unit for small volume (Hydro 2000G) to measure emulsions, dispersions, etc. and a solid dispersion unit (Scirocco) to analyse dried powders. It is equipped with a software (windows operated) for the data processing to obtain the characteristic size (droplet, particle) and its distribution.

Customer benefits

• Specialized in colloidal samples
• ISO9001 certification for standard quality control system
• Highly qualified and continuously trained staff
• Adapted to customers’ needs

The services provided by the unit are very relevant for product formulation and quality control. Applications include determination of the droplet/particle diameter for emulsions, suspensions and solid samples (powder) in the range of 100 nm – 2000 mm. The results are expressed in standard percentiles D(v,0.1), D(v0.5), D(v0.9), mean volume diameter (D[4,3]), mean surface diameter (Sauter mean diameter, D[3,2]), specific surface area (SSA), etc.

Target customer

Public research organisations, academia and industry in the pharmaceutical, chemical, food and cosmetic sectors.

Additional information

More information can be found at https://www2.iqac.csic.es/qci/

U12-S02. Measuring NP aggregation properties and surface area

Measuring NP aggregation properties and surface area

For this service, we offer a S3 MICRO instrument (Hecus X-ray Systems, Graz, Austria) for determinations of X-ray scattered intensity as a function of scattering angle. This instrument is equipped with a GENIX microfocus X-ray source and a FOX 2D point-focusing element (both from Xenocs, Grenoble). It can measure simultaneously at small angle (0,2º-8º) and wide angle (18°-28°).
We also offer a Quantachrome Autosorb iQ-AG equipment that provides gas adsorption/desorption curves, for the calculation of specific surface area and pore size analysis. This equipment allows the simultaneous degassing of two samples and the physisorption analysis of a third sample, at relative pressures above P/P0 > 1×10-3. The gas sorption analyzer is equipped with a cryogenic dewar for measurements until 90 hours.

Customer benefits

• Specialized in colloidal samples
• ISO9001 certification for standard quality control system
• Highly qualified and continuously trained staff
• Adapted to customers’ needs

The services provided by the unit are very relevant for product formulation and quality control. Applications include structural characterization of materials within the nanometer range. This includes determination of symmetry, morphology, characteristic size, fractal dimension and surface area. These studies can be applied to liquid crystals, micellar aggregates, mesoporous materials, nanoparticles, proteins and nanostructured films. Also characterization of the porosity and surface area of nanoparticles, macroporous, macro/mesoporous and mesoporous materials like aluminas, silicas and other materials including M41S materials (eg. MCM-41), PMOs, KITs and many SBAs.

Target customer

Public research organizations, academia and industry in the pharmaceutical, chemical, food and cosmetic sectors.

Additional information

More information can be found at https://www2.iqac.csic.es/qci/

U12-S03. Determination of the phase behavior of surfactant and polymers systems

Determination of the phase behavior of surfactant and polymers systems

This is an integrated service in which we offer the determination of the phase behaviour (e.g. as a function of temperature and concentration) of surfactants and polymers using different characterization techniques such as SAXS and polarized optical microscopy.

Customer benefits

• Specialized in colloidal samples
• Wide range of available techniques
• ISO9001 certification for standard quality control system
• Highly qualified and continuously trained staff
• Adapted to customers’ needs

The services provided by the unit are very relevant for product formulation and quality control.

Target customer

Public research organizations, academia and industry in the pharmaceutical, chemical, food and cosmetic sectors.

Additional information

More information can be found at https://www2.iqac.csic.es/qci/

U12-S04. Rheology, viscometry and densimetry

Rheology, viscometry and densimetry

For this service we offer a AR-G2 Rheometer with magnetic bearings which allows measuring torques down to 0.003 N.m. It can perform either stress controlled or strain controlled measurements. The angular velocity range is 2×10-7 to 628 rad/s. The maximum measurable torque is 200 mN.m, with a resolution of 0.1 nN.m. Several geometries are available, such as concentric cylinders, cone-plate, plate-plate (different sizes) and also cross hatched plates which are suitable to measure gel samples. Temperature is controlled with a Peltier system (from -20ºC to 200ºC) and with a Upper heating plate device. There is also an interfacial rheometry accessory. The instrument’s software enables to perform a wide variety of tests and analyses.
For standard tests we also offer a Brookfield viscometer with a wide measurement range from 25 mPa.s to 64 MmPa.s. It is equipped with an accessory (Small Sample Adaptor SSA) for samples of small volume (7-13.5 mL).

Customer benefits

• Specialized in colloidal samples
• ISO9001 certification for standard quality control system
• Highly qualified and continuously trained staff
• Adapted to customers’ needs

The services provided by the unit are very relevant for product formulation and quality control. Applications include determination of viscosities from flow curves (stress vs shear rate); estimation of storage (elastic) modulus and loss (viscous) modulus, creep assays, temperature ramps; Determination of gel and glass points; Estimation of interfacial viscosity and moduli.

Target customer

Public research organizations, academia and industry in the pharmaceutical, chemical, food and cosmetic sectors.

Additional information

For further details on Rheology, click on the following poster:

More information can be found at https://www2.iqac.csic.es/qci/

U12-S05. Surface and interfacial tensiometry

Surface and interfacial tensiometry

For this service we offer a Sigma 701 force tensiometer (Biolin Scientific) with software for control, acquisition and data treatment for the measurement of surface and interfacial tensions, as well as the automatic determination of critical micellar concentrations. It is equipped with Wilhelmy plate and Du Nouy ring accessories.
We also offer a SITE Spinning Drop Interfacial Tensiometer (Krüss) for determination of liquid-liquid interfacial tensions by the spinning drop method.

Customer benefits

• Specialized in colloidal samples
• ISO9001 certification for standard quality control system
• Highly qualified and continuously trained staff
• Adapted to customers’ needs

The services provided by the unit are very relevant for product formulation and quality control. Applications include surface and interfacial tension measurements of liquid systems. Also determination of ultra-low interfacial tensions (up to 10-5 mN.m-1) in colloidal liquid-liquid biphasic systems at controlled temperature.

Target customer

Public research organizations, academia and industry in the pharmaceutical, chemical, food and cosmetic sectors.

Additional information

More information can be found at https://www2.iqac.csic.es/qci/

U12-S06. Surface hydrophobicity characterization

Surface hydrophobicity characterization

For this service we offer a Sigma 701 force tensiometer (Biolin Scientific) with software for control, acquisition and data treatment for the measurement of surface and interfacial tensions. It is equipped with Wilhelmy plate and Du Nouy ring accessories. It can also measure contact angle on powder samples (Washburn method)
We also offer an optical goniometer (Ossila) for measurements of contact angle on flat surfaces.

Customer benefits

• Specialized in colloidal samples
• ISO9001 certification for standard quality control system
• Highly qualified and continuously trained staff
• Adapted to customers’ needs

The services provided by the unit are very relevant for product formulation and quality control. Applications include surface contact angle determination of liquids on single fibers (fiber diameter greater than 20 mm), solid (cylindrical or plate shapes) and porous materials (cylindrical or plate shapes).

Target customer

Public research organizations, academia and industry in the pharmaceutical, chemical, food and cosmetic sectors.

Additional information

More information can be found at https://www2.iqac.csic.es/qci/

U12-S07. Evaluation of colloidal stability

Evaluation of colloidal stability

For this service we offer a Turbiscan instrument (Formulaction) for the evaluation of colloidal stability. It measures turbidity by multiple light scattering, as a function of time along the vertical axis by both transmitted and backscattered light. It can analyse samples up to 95 vol% with a wide range of particle sizes (10 nm – 1 mm). The samples are placed inside a temperature-controlled chamber, and the measurements can be carried out from room temperature up to 60 ˚C.

Customer benefits

• Specialized in colloidal samples
• ISO9001 certification for standard quality control system
• Highly qualified and continuously trained staff
• Adapted to customers’ needs

The services provided by the unit are very relevant for product formulation and quality control.Applications include analysis of colloidal stability of emulsions, suspensions and foams and to determine whether there is sedimentation, creaming, flocculation or coalescence.

Target customer

Public research organizations, academia and industry in the pharmaceutical, chemical, food and cosmetic sectors.

Additional information

More information can be found at https://www2.iqac.csic.es/qci/

U12-S08. Characterization of materials by high resolution optical microscopy with spectral analysis and scanning electron microscopy

Characterization of materials by high resolution optical microscopy with spectral analysis and scanning electron microscopy

For this service we offer a CytoViva Hyperspectral Imaging System (HSI). The instrument combines enhanced dark field optical microscopy with high resolution spectral imaging. These integrated technologies have been designed to allow optical observation and spectral characterization of nanomaterials and cell matrices. There is no need of sample preparation in advance or fluorescent labelling to observe or characterize spectroscopically nanomaterials in complex media.
We also offer a BX51TRF6 Olympus Optical Microscope that can work with transmitted or reflected light. Different observation methods can be used: bright field, dark field, phase contrast, differential interference contrast, polarized light, and fluorescence. It includes two revolvers to work at short or long distances. Moreover, it is equipped with a digital camera (Olympus DP73) connected to the computer with a software that captures images and videos. A heating stage is available for observations at controlled temperature.

Customer benefits

• Specialized in colloidal samples
• ISO9001 certification for standard quality control system
• Highly qualified and continuously trained staff
• Adapted to customers’ needs

The services provided by the unit are very relevant for product formulation and quality control.Applications include spectral analysis of nanomaterials, characterization of surfaces and functional groups bound to nanomaterials, spectral characterization of biological samples. Also image analysis of micron-sized emulsions, solid dispersions and liquid crystals.

Target customer

Public research organizations, academia and industry in the pharmaceutical, chemical, food and cosmetic sectors.

Additional information

More information can be found at https://www2.iqac.csic.es/qci/