Project Details
Projekt
Analytical ultracentrifuge with absorption and interference detector
Subject Area
Process Engineering, Technical Chemistry
Term
Funded in 2019
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 430159603
The disperse properties of particles, i.e. their size, shape, density, surface and optical properties, directly define the product properties in a variety of applications. This relationship, known as the property function, is of fundamental importance for academia and industry. A precise access to the disperse properties is essential to characterize and control product properties of particle systems in the sense of structure-property relationships.Analytical ultracentrifugation is a very powerful method for the investigation of complex and polydisperse particle systems in the liquid phase. The distribution of particles and macromolecules is detected as a function of time and radial position in a centrifugal field of up to 250,000 g. This data allows determination of the sedimentation and diffusion coefficient distributions. The hydrodynamic properties can in turn be correlated with the particle size, mass, shape and density. Interferometric measurements will be carried out with the device so that even non-scattering and non-absorbing analytes can be investigated with high temporal and radial resolution. This is important for the investigation of polydisperse samples, as the particle size-dependent sedimentation is compensated by the high resolution of the detector. For concentration studies, the small changes in the sedimentation boundaries are resolved and the influences of non-ideality can be investigated. In case the interference detector cannot be used, e.g. because the sample cannot be dialyzed or the influence of additives on the measurement signal cannot be determined, the absorption detector is applied. This detector can be operated simultaneously and allows for temporally and spatially resolved absorption and turbidity measurements. Thus, analytes are distinguished not only by their hydrodynamic properties but also by their spectral properties. For slowly sedimenting analytes, the detector can be used to measure several wavelengths in successive measurements, enabling global analyses. The absorption detector can be used for measurements in the deep UV and is therefore of great importance for polymers, proteins and quantum dots. Besides, it is possible to use both detectors for many material systems, which allows evaluation of experimental with global models.The proposed instrument will significantly expand the possibilities of multidimensional particle analysis at the applicant's institute. A large number of university, national and international collaboration partners will benefit from the device, as it will be integrated into numerous research initiatives.
DFG Programme
Major Research Instrumentation
Major Instrumentation
Analytische Ultrazentrifuge mit Absorptions- und Interferenzdetektor
Instrumentation Group
1210 Ultrazentrifugen (über 25.000 1/Min)
Applicant Institution
Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
