Polymer nanoparticle sizes from dynamic light scattering and size exclusion chromatography: the case study of polysilanes

Abstract

Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and size exclusion chromatography (SEC) are among the most popular methods for determining polymer sizes in solution. Taking dendritic and network polysilanes as a group of least soluble polymer substances, we critically compare and discuss the difference between nanoparticle sizes, obtained by DLS and SEC. Polymer nanoparticles are typically in poor solution conditions below the theta point and are therefore in the globular conformation. The determination of particle sizes in the presence of attractive interactions is not a trivial task. The only possibility to measure, aggregation-free, the true molecular size of polymer nanoparticles in such a solution regime, is to perform the experiment with a dilute solution of globules (below the theta point and above the miscibility line). Based on the results of our polysilane measurements, we come to a conclusion that DLS provides more reliable results than SEC for dilute solutions of globules. General implications for the size measurements of polymer nanoparticles in solution are discussed.

Veiling Effects in the Measurement of Poly-disperse Particles with a Photographic Probe

“…Accurate and representative distributions of particle property parameters, such as particle size, holdup, and velocity, are of great help to characterize the complex multiphase flow. A large number of methods or techniques such as an optical fiber probe, a conductivity probe, a light scattering technique, phase Doppler anemometry, a capillary suction probe, and positron emission particle tracking have been developed to measure these parameters in multiphase reactors. Besides these techniques, the image-based method has become more popular in recent decades as it presents a more intuitive visual result and has the potential for capturing more detailed information .…”

Formation and Stability of Bulk Nanobubbles in Different Solutions

“…The methods to produce and measure the bulk nanobubbles still need to be explored. Recently, we used nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) to detect the size and concentration of bulk nanobubbles produced by exchanging ethanol and water, as well as cold water and decompressing. ,− It was proved as a powerful tool to give the size distribution and concentration of bulk nanobubbles compared with conventional dynamic light scattering. − Another powerful technique is synchrotron based X-ray fluorescence absorption, which can provide the chemical information in a bulk solution …”

Hyperbranched Silicone MDTQ Tack Promoters

“…As a consequence, self-association between hyperbranched polymers led to phase separation. Mavrič et al [22,23] similarly found that dendrimeric polysilanes agglomerate at room temperature. The dendrimers maintain the size scaling typical for globular polymers in all temperature and concentration regimes and the strong, attractive van der Waals facilitate ‘self’ interactions between the polymers [24].…”