Let There Be Light: Characterizing Physical Properties of Colloids, Nanoparticles, Polymers & Proteins Using Light Scattering

This book is about characterizing the physical properties of submicron particles such as colloids, nanoparticles, polymers and proteins when suspended or dissolved in liquids. Characterization includes determination of size, charge (zeta potential), and molecular mass. Detours into rheology of dilute solutions and suspensions using dynamic light scattering and charge on macroscopic surfaces using phase analysis light scattering are included because these same techniques are used in size and charge characterization of fine particles. Particle characterization is the overarching and unifying theme behind the understanding of the properties of these materials, and the definition of a particle will be explored in the first chapter and the first five appendices. This book is a composite of introductory concepts suitable for use in interpreting results; an intermediate compendium of useful rules in describing results that instruments produce; and, finally, derivations of some equations used in describing measurements. What you should know before reading this book: A little chemistry, a little physics, algebra, a very little geometry and trigonometry, and a bit of calculus, though all the important answers are shown in algebraic form. It is written at the first-year graduate school level, though a technician can glean quite a bit from the descriptive parts at the beginning of each chapter. Researchers new to these fields but practiced in others can also benefit.