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FAQ - How Do I Dilute Samples For Zeta Measurements

Dilution is important for zeta potential measurements as samples need to be optically clear. The dilution medium must preserve the particle surface state. It is best to filter or centrifuge the original sample to extract supernatant for dilution. Alternatively, allowing natural sedimentation of fine particles in the supernatant can work. When diluting, the new medium should match the original's pH, ion concentration, and additives.

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73 views1 page

FAQ - How Do I Dilute Samples For Zeta Measurements

Dilution is important for zeta potential measurements as samples need to be optically clear. The dilution medium must preserve the particle surface state. It is best to filter or centrifuge the original sample to extract supernatant for dilution. Alternatively, allowing natural sedimentation of fine particles in the supernatant can work. When diluting, the new medium should match the original's pH, ion concentration, and additives.

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Savitha N
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How Do I Dilute Samples For Zeta

Potential Measurements?
The automatic attenuation present in the Nano series facilitates an increased concentration range, in comparison to historical
instruments, over which zeta potential measurements can be conducted. As a consequence, many samples can now be
measured directly, with no dilution. However, the laser beam has to penetrate the sample for light scattered at a forward
angle to be detected. As a general rule of thumb then, samples for zeta potential measurements need to be optically clear. If
the concentration of the sample is too high, the laser beam will become attenuated by the particles reducing the scattered
light that is being detected. Further discussion for the concentration requirements for zeta potential measurements on the
Zetasizer Nano is available as a technical note from the Malvern website.

For samples requiring dilution, how the dilution is performed is absolutely critical in determining the zeta potential value
measured. For meaningful measurements the dilution medium is crucially important. A measurement result given with no
reference to the medium in which the material is dispersed is meaningless, in that the zeta potential is as dependent on the
composition of the disperse phase as it is on the nature of the particle surface itself. It is difficult not to over emphasize this.

The aim of sample preparation is to preserve the existing state of the surface during the process of dilution. While the
dispersant phase can sometimes be defined on paper, for many colloidal dispersions, the exact composition of the dispersant
phase, e.g. the amount for “free” or unbound additives, is unknown. This problem can be avoided however, by filtering or
centrifuging some clear liquid from the original sample and then using this supernatant to dilute the original concentrated
sample. Using this approach, the equilibrium between surface and liquid are perfectly maintained.

If extraction of a supernatant is not possible, then one can many times just allow the sample to naturally sediment and then
measure the fine particles left in the supernatant. Since the zeta potential is not a size dependent parameter, this approach
will often avoid the hassles of spinning down the sample.

A final method for diluting zeta potential samples is to attempt to imitate the original medium as closely as possible. When
using this approach, the medium should be matched according to:

1) pH
2) Total ionic concentration of the system
3) Concentration of any additives (surfactants, polymers etc.) present

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