Application Note | TURBIDI.T™
How to measure the sedimentation of suspended particles with TURBIDI.T™?
by Dimitria Camasão, Assala Larbes and Gloria Pinilla,
Application Scientists, Rheolution Inc.
SUMMARY
- The sedimentation kinetics of suspended particles provides crucial information for optimizing manufacturing and infrastructure across industries, while also contributing to the design of drugs and cell therapies.
- Turbidimetry is a quick and nondestructive method to precisely determine the sedimentation kinetics of suspended particles.
- The decrease in turbidity of silica particles in distilled water as a function of time was obtained with high precision using the TURBIDI.T™. This curve gives information about the sedimentation behavior and rate of the suspended particles.
INTRODUCTION
The sedimentation kinetics of suspended particles give information about particle size distribution, particle concentration, the presence of impurities, the depositional patterns of a system, among others. This information is pertinent for the development of optimized manufacturing plants and infrastructural projects in many industries including mining, oil and gas, water treatment, environment and agrifood. In the life science field, the sedimentation study provides insights into the behavior of particles and their interactions with biological systems, and the quality and stability of particles [1] which contributes to the product design (e.g. drugs, proteins and cell therapies).
The determination of the sedimentation kinetics can be done using acoustic or optical instruments. Turbidimeters are analytical instruments that measure the turbidity of a liquid sample. Turbidity refers to the cloudiness of a liquid caused by the presence of suspended particles. In this way, the continuous turbidity measurement of a static sample is directly related to the sedimentation of its suspended particles. Turbidity values as a function of time is then a quantitative approach to evaluate sedimentation.
In this application note, the turbidity of silica nanoparticles in distilled water were measured over time in the TURBIDI.T™. The curve of turbidity as a function of time was used to understand and determine the sedimentation behavior and rate of the suspended particles.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The TURBIDI.T™ (Rheolution Inc. in QC, Canada) is a highly adaptable device used for precise turbidity measurements in diverse solution ranges. This device offers a range of features, including the ability to (1) customize the optical emitter cartridges to accommodate different wavelengths, (2) select sample holders tailored to specific experimental designs, and (3) utilize a wireless tablet for seamless data collection, analysis, customization, and data export. Additionally, the TURBIDI.T™ allows for expanded measurement capabilities by enabling multiple instruments to be paired with the same tablet, enhancing efficiency and productivity.
Before conducting the testing, the TURBIDI.T™ instrument was calibrated using Formazin standards (FTU). The instrument employed two specific cartridges for light emission and reception: the Emitt.635, which emitted light at a wavelength of 635 nm, and the Receiv.ViS, capable of receiving light within the range of 400 nm to 1000 nm.
Silica particles (size of 1000 nm; Alpha Nanotech Inc., BC, Canada) were diluted in distilled water at a concentration of 100 mg/L and kept at room temperature. Subsequently, three vials were filled and well mixed before being introduced into the TURBIDI.T™ for the measurement.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Turbidity values as a function of time for silica particles in distilled water are presented in Figure 1. Curves represent each triplicate illustrating the high precision of the measurements. It is interesting to note that the initial turbidity level (~ 1600 FTU) remained stable in the first three hours of testing and just after it started to decrease due to the sedimentation of the suspended particles. The sedimentation of the suspended particles concluded after 6 hours of testing where turbidity levels stabilized again around 100 FTU.
The sample had a clear division composed of an upper layer of transparent liquid and a bottom layer of suspended particles during the sedimentation period, until reaching a clear final state of transparent liquid with a very thin layer of particles at the bottom of the vials (Figure 2).
The sedimentation speed depends on the particle size, the density difference between the particle and the liquid, and the dynamic viscosity of the mixture. Turbidimetric measurements can then also be used to study the interplay among these parameters.
Figure 1: Turbidity of silica particles in distilled water (FTU) and rate of change (FTU/h) as a function of time (n=3). The curves were obtained with the TURBIDI.T™ using the wavelength 635 nm.
Figure 2: Suspension of silica particles (d = 1000 nm) at the beginning of the test (left), after 4.5 hours (middle) and after 6 hours (right).
CONCLUSIONS
The decrease in turbidity due to sedimentation of suspended silica particles in distilled water was precisely measured in real time with TURBIDI.T™. The suspension of silica particles (d = 1000 nm) completely sedimented after 6 hours.
PRESPECTIVES
- The TURBIDI.T™ instrument precisely measures in real time the turbidity of suspensions, providing the sedimentation profile of the suspended particles.
- Sedimentation profile curves can be stored in the tablet via the Soft Matter Analytics™ App, and exploited and exported as needed.
- The possibility to use different wavelengths of light emission (with the different cartridges) can enhance the accuracy and precision in the determination of the sedimentation profile according to the particle size.
- The different vials available with the TURBIDI.T™ instrument can reduce sampling manipulation, contributing to a simple and efficient testing experience.
- The possibility of building a flexible testing platform composed of multiple instruments meet the evolving needs of research and development (R&D) and quality control (QC) laboratories and industries.
REFERENCES
INTRODUCTION
The sedimentation kinetics of suspended particles give information about particle size distribution, particle concentration, the presence of impurities, the depositional patterns of a system, among others. This information is pertinent for the development of optimized manufacturing plants and infrastructural projects in many industries including mining, oil and gas, water treatment, environment and agrifood. In the life science field, the sedimentation study provides insights into the behavior of particles and their interactions with biological systems, and the quality and stability of particles [1] which contributes to the product design (e.g. drugs, proteins and cell therapies).
The determination of the sedimentation kinetics can be done using acoustic or optical instruments. Turbidimeters are analytical instruments that measure the turbidity of a liquid sample. Turbidity refers to the cloudiness of a liquid caused by the presence of suspended particles. In this way, the continuous turbidity measurement of a static sample is directly related to the sedimentation of its suspended particles. Turbidity values as a function of time is then a quantitative approach to evaluate sedimentation.
In this application note, the turbidity of silica nanoparticles in distilled water were measured over time in the TURBIDI.T™. The curve of turbidity as a function of time was used to understand and determine the sedimentation behavior and rate of the suspended particles.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The TURBIDI.T™ (Rheolution Inc. in QC, Canada) is a highly adaptable device used for precise turbidity measurements in diverse solution ranges. This device offers a range of features, including the ability to (1) customize the optical emitter cartridges to accommodate different wavelengths, (2) select sample holders tailored to specific experimental designs, and (3) utilize a wireless tablet for seamless data collection, analysis, customization, and data export. Additionally, the TURBIDI.T™ allows for expanded measurement capabilities by enabling multiple instruments to be paired with the same tablet, enhancing efficiency and productivity.
Before conducting the testing, the TURBIDI.T™ instrument was calibrated using Formazin standards (FTU). The instrument employed two specific cartridges for light emission and reception: the Emitt.635, which emitted light at a wavelength of 635 nm, and the Receiv.ViS, capable of receiving light within the range of 400 nm to 1000 nm.
Silica particles (size of 1000 nm; Alpha Nanotech Inc., BC, Canada) were diluted in distilled water at a concentration of 100 mg/L and kept at room temperature. Subsequently, three vials were filled and well mixed before being introduced into the TURBIDI.T™ for the measurement.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Turbidity values as a function of time for silica particles in distilled water are presented in Figure 1. Curves represent each triplicate illustrating the high precision of the measurements. It is interesting to note that the initial turbidity level (~ 1600 FTU) remained stable in the first three hours of testing and just after it started to decrease due to the sedimentation of the suspended particles. The sedimentation of the suspended particles concluded after 6 hours of testing where turbidity levels stabilized again around 100 FTU.
The sample had a clear division composed of an upper layer of transparent liquid and a bottom layer of suspended particles during the sedimentation period, until reaching a clear final state of transparent liquid with a very thin layer of particles at the bottom of the vials (Figure 2).
The sedimentation speed depends on the particle size, the density difference between the particle and the liquid, and the dynamic viscosity of the mixture. Turbidimetric measurements can then also be used to study the interplay among these parameters.
Figure 1: Turbidity of silica particles in distilled water (FTU) and rate of change (FTU/h) as a function of time (n=3). The curves were obtained with the TURBIDI.T™ using the wavelength 635 nm.
Figure 2: Suspension of silica particles (d = 1000 nm) at the beginning of the test (left), after 4.5 hours (middle) and after 6 hours (right).
CONCLUSIONS
The decrease in turbidity due to sedimentation of suspended silica particles in distilled water was precisely measured in real time with TURBIDI.T™. The suspension of silica particles (d = 1000 nm) completely sedimented after 6 hours.
PRESPECTIVES
- The TURBIDI.T™ instrument precisely measures in real time the turbidity of suspensions, providing the sedimentation profile of the suspended particles.
- Sedimentation profile curves can be stored in the tablet via the Soft Matter Analytics™ App, and exploited and exported as needed.
- The possibility to use different wavelengths of light emission (with the different cartridges) can enhance the accuracy and precision in the determination of the sedimentation profile according to the particle size.
- The different vials available with the TURBIDI.T™ instrument can reduce sampling manipulation, contributing to a simple and efficient testing experience.
- The possibility of building a flexible testing platform composed of multiple instruments meet the evolving needs of research and development (R&D) and quality control (QC) laboratories and industries.
REFERENCES
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