Making Sense of Brownian Motion: Colloid Characterization by Dynamic Light Scattering
Abstract
Dynamic light scattering (DLS) has evolved as a fast, convenient tool for particle size analysis of noninteracting spherical colloids. In this historical review, we discuss the basic principle, data analysis, and important precautions to be taken while analyzing colloids using DLS. The effect of particle interaction, polydispersity, anisotropy, light absorption, and so forth, on measured diffusion coefficient is discussed. New developments in this area such as diffusing wave spectroscopy, particle tracking analysis, microrheological studies using DLS, and so forth, are discussed in a manner that can be understood by a beginner.
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The dispersion of nanoparticles is not governed by buoyancy but, with decreasing particle size, is more dominantly controlled by collision with water molecules and Brownian motion.
“The dispersion of nanoparticles, on the other hand, is not governed by buoyancy properties, but with decreasing particle size, it is more dominantly controlled by the collision of nanoplastics with water molecules and Brownian motion.140”
From The fate of plastic in the ocean environment – a minireview (2021) · cites this paper as [140]
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Current opinion: What is a nanoplastic?
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The fate of plastic in the ocean environment – a minireview
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The Controllable Design of Catalyst Inks to Enhance PEMFC Performance: A Review
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- Authors
- Hassan, P. A., Rana, S., & Verma, G.
- Affiliations
- Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (IN)
- Corresponding author
- Hassan, Puthusserickal A.
- Venue
- Langmuir
- Publisher
- American Chemical Society (ACS)
- Published
- 2014-07-31
- Volume
- 31
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 3-12
- ISSN
- 0743-7463 (ISSN-L)
- 1520-5827
- OpenAlex
- W2017898177
- Cited by
- 615
- References
- 27
- Citations by year
- 2026: 45 · 2025: 57 · 2024: 63 · 2023: 73 · 2022: 56 · 2021: 75 · 2020: 65 · 2019: 52 · 2018: 44 · 2017: 36 · 2016: 22 · 2015: 24 · 2014: 2
- FWCI
- 18.00
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Langmuir (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Chemistry › Physical and Theoretical Chemistry › Electrostatics and Colloid Interactions
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Computational Mechanics › Field-Flow Fractionation Techniques
- Physical Sciences › Chemistry › Spectroscopy › Diffusion Coefficients in Liquids
- Keywords
- dynamic light scattering, colloidal particles, particle size measurement, diffusion coefficient, particle interactions, polydispersity, anisotropy, optical absorption, diffusing wave spectroscopy, particle tracking, microrheology
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