The Particles and Catalysis Research Group is equipped with modern laboratories and an array of state-of-the-art instrument for particle characterisation, photoreactor system for testing photocatalyst function, and specialised equipment and techniques for particle synthesis. We are also co-located with UNSW's Analytical Centre, and possess full access to their nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectroscopy, solid state and surface analysis, and electron microscopy facilities. Click on the links below for more information on some of our particle characterisation facilities. For general enquiries about working in our laboratory, please contact our Laboratory Systems Manager, John Starling.
Brookhaven 90Plus, FOQELS and NanoDLS use Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) to determine the hydrodynamic size of submicron size particles. The same instruments can also be used to determine the molecular weights of macromolecules using either the standard Mark-Houwink-Sakurada (MHS) method or the Debye Plot method for molecular weight determination.
Brookhaven 90Plus
Manufacturer: Brookhaven Instruments Corporation
Specification: Size 1 nm to 6 μm; Concentration 0.0001 to 1.0% v/v
Download: Manual [pdf, 1.21 Mb]
Brookhaven FOQELS
Manufacturer: Brookhaven Instruments Corporation
Specification: Size 2 nm to 2 μm; Concentration 0.001% to 40%
Download: Manual [pdf, 1.63 Mb]
Brookhaven NanoDLS
Manufacturer: Brookhaven Instruments Corporation
Specification: Size 1 nm to 6 μm
The Malvern Mastersizer S uses Laser Diffraction technique to determine the size of micron size emulsions, suspensions or dry powders. Particles in the path of a laser beam will scatter light at an angle that is directly related to their size. Large particles therefore scatter light at narrow angles with high intensity whereas small particles scatter at wider angles but with low intensity. By using the appropriate optical model (Fraunhofer Approximation or Mie Theory), the particle size distribution is determined from the laser's diffraction pattern.
Malvern Mastersizer S
Manufacturer: Malvern Instrument Limited
Specification: Size 0.05 μm to 900 μm; 0.5 μm to 900 μm; 4.2 μm to 3.5 mm
Brookhaven ZetaPALS utilizes Phase Analysis Light Scattering (PALS) to determine the electrophoretic mobility and isoelectric point (IEP) of charged, colloidal materials. The instrument is equiped with a BI-ZTU autotitrator which can be used for automatic adjustment of pH and salt concentration.
Brookhaven ZetaPALS
Manufacturer: Brookhaven Instruments Corporation
Specification: Size 5 nm to 30 μm; pH 1-13; Conductivity 0 to 20 Sm-1; Mobility 10E-11 to 10E-7 m2V-1s-1
Download: Manual [pdf, 4.16 Mb]
The Micromeritics TriStar 3000 Analyzer uses physical adsorption and capillary condensation principles to obtain information about the surface area and porosity of a solid material. From the adsorption and desorption isotherms, information about the surface and internal pore characteristics of the particle can be obtained.
Micromeritics Tristar 3000
Manufacturer: Micromeritics Instrument Corporation
Specification: Surface area >0.01 m2g-1
The AutoChem II 2920 utilizes the dynamic (flowing gas) technique to perform chemical adsorption analysis of active sites on the surface of particles. By comparing the sample stream to a reference stream of pure carrier gas, changes in gas composition resulting from reactions in the sample cell can be determined. This in turn provides information about active sites on the particle surface.
Micromeritics AutoChem II 2920
Manufacturer: Micromeritics Instrument Corporation
Specification: Ambient to 1100 °C; Gas flow rate of 0 to 100 mL per min (for H2)
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