Microfluidic in-line dynamic light scattering with a commercial fibre optic system.
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Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
We report the coupling of dynamic light scattering (DLS) in microfluidics, using a contact-free fibre-optic system, enabling the under-flow characterisation of a range of solutions, dispersions, and structured fluids. The system is evaluated and validated with model systems, specifically micellar and (dilute) polymer solutions, and colloidal dispersions of different radii (∼1-100 nm). A systematic method of flow-DLS analysis is examined as a function of flow velocity (0-16 cm s-1), and considerations of the relative contribution of 'transit' and 'Brownian' terms enable the identification of regions where (i) a quiescent approximation suffices, (ii) the flow-DLS framework holds, as well as (iii) where deviations are found, until eventually (iv) the convection dominates. We investigate practically relevant, robust setups, namely that of a capillary connected to microdevice, as well as direct measurement on a glass microdevice, examining the role of capillary dimensions and challenges of optical alignment. We conclude with a demonstration of a continuous flow measurement of a binary surfactant/salt solution, whose micellar dimensions vary with composition, characterised with hundreds of data points (every ∼5 s) and adequate statistics, within a few minutes.
Date Issued
2023-05-30
Date Acceptance
2023-04-14
Citation
Lab on a Chip: miniaturisation for chemistry, physics, biology, materials science and bioengineering, 2023, 23 (11), pp.2540-2552
ISSN
1473-0189
Publisher
Royal Society of Chemistry
Start Page
2540
End Page
2552
Journal / Book Title
Lab on a Chip: miniaturisation for chemistry, physics, biology, materials science and bioengineering
Volume
23
Issue
11
Copyright Statement
© The Royal Society of Chemistry 2023. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence.
License URL
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/37185587
Subjects
03 Chemical Sciences
09 Engineering
Analytical Chemistry
Publication Status
Published online
Coverage Spatial
England
Date Publish Online
2023-04-18