Zetasizer Nano Helps Nottingham Trent Researchers Advance Manipulation Of Composite Materials

Researchers at Nottingham Trent University in the UK are using the Zetasizer Nano ZS particle characterization system from Malvern Instruments in work that has demonstrated the predominantly electrostatic nature of protein-aluminium interactions. This advance brings science a step closer towards being able to build novel aluminium-composite materials using naturally occurring biological processes.

Using biological processes to engineer nano-composite material structure is referred to as biomimetic-nanotectonic manipulation. By combining aluminium nanoparticles with proteins the Nottingham scientists took advantage of spontaneous biological assembly to fabricate highly organized structures called Keggin ions. These ions are the building blocks for advanced aluminium materials with highly specific properties used in applications such as antiperspirants, biosensors, environmental control systems and biomedical devices.

Manipulation of materials combining biological molecules with nanoparticles relies heavily on understanding interparticle interactions. The effects of surface charge on the participating particles and surrounding media dominate many of these. Researchers Olivier Deschaume, Kirill Shafran and Carole Perry reported on the effects of a model protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA), on the generation and properties of hybrid Al-protein composite materials formed from various high-purity, Al-containing, aqueous nanosized precursors.

The Zetasizer Nano ZS from Malvern Instruments makes particle size measurements, down to nano- and sub-nanometer ranges possible using dynamic light scattering. Using this system the research team achieved the sensitivity required to characterize the effect of aluminium hydroxide's surface charge on predominantly electrostatic interactions with the model protein.

About Malvern Instruments
Malvern Instruments provides a range of complementary materials characterization tools that deliver inter-related measurements reflecting the complexities of particulates and disperse systems, nanomaterials and macromolecules. Analytical instruments from Malvern are used in the characterization of a wide variety of materials, from industrial bulk powders to nanomaterials and delicate macromolecules. A broad portfolio of innovative technologies is combined with intelligent, user-friendly software. These systems deliver industrially relevant data enabling our customers to make the connection between micro (such as particle size) and macro (bulk) material properties (rheology) and chemical composition (chemical imaging).

Particle size, particle shape, zeta potential, molecular weight, chemical composition and rheological properties measurements are now joined by advanced chromatography solutions (GPC/SEC), extending Malvern's technologies for protein molecular weight, size and aggregation measurements, and synthetic polymer molecular weight and distribution. The company's laboratory, at-line, on-line and in-line solutions are proven in sectors as diverse as cement production and pharmaceutical drug discovery.

Headquartered in Malvern, UK, Malvern Instruments has subsidiary organizations in all major European markets, North America, China, Korea and Japan, a joint venture in India, a global distributor network and applications laboratories around the world.

SOURCE: Malvern Instruments