LS Instruments - New publication: "Non-ergodic DLS to characterize gel systems: Gelation of amphiphilic janus particles in an apolar medium"

Dynamic Light Scattering analyzes the dynamics of particles in suspension. In gel systems, however, the dynamics of the systems are partially “frozen” due to a network in which the particles are trapped. For such non-ergodic systems, DLS cannot produce reproducible data and an advanced technique called non-ergodic DLS must be used: the most effective scheme consists of rotating the sample slowly during measurement acquisition and analyzing the data according to the Pusey Van-Megen method.

This protocol has been applied to the characterization of janus particles undergoing gelation in a newly published work by LS Instruments customers at the University of Mexico. To rotate the sample, the 3D LS Spectrometer includes a sample goniometer unit which can be controlled via the software.