Zeta Potential Analysis
Particle Metrix’s ZetaView® systems provide precise zeta potential measurements and multi-parameter analysis in a single run, ensuring fully comprehensive particle characterization.
What is Zeta Potential?
Zeta potential of nanoparticles is a key indicator of the stability of colloidal dispersions, representing the electrical potential at the slipping plane of particles in suspension (colloquially “surface charge”). It influences the balance between attractive van der Waals forces and repulsive electrostatic forces, i.e. it reflects how strongly particles repel or attract each other, influencing properties like agglomeration and sedimentation. The zeta potential directly correlates to surface charge, which is crucial for particle stability due to electrostatic forces. When the zeta potential is higher than absolute 25 mV, the suspension is considered stable and less likely to aggregate.
Understanding zeta potential is critical for ensuring consistent product performance and longevity in industries like pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and materials science. It helps to optimize formulations, reduce aggregation, and predict the behavior of particles in complex environments. Additionally, zeta potential NTA (Z-NTA) analysis is valuable for monitoring the quality of synthesis steps, especially when particles are conjugated with proteins or dyes, providing insight into surface modifications and ensuring reproducibility. Key Attributes of Zeta Potential:
Reflects Surface Charge and Sample Stability: Zeta potential indicates the magnitude of electrostatic repulsion or attraction between particles, influencing dispersion stability.
Predicts Aggregation and Sedimentation: Understanding zeta potential helps predict longevity and prevent unwanted particle agglomeration.
Characterizes Various Materials: Zeta potential is used to analyze a wide range of samples, including nanoparticles and complex biological particles like extracellular vesicles (EVs).
Why is Zeta Potential important?
Zeta potential plays a crucial role in determining the stability of particles in suspension, directly impacting product quality, shelf-life, and performance. For instance, the zeta potential of nanoparticles is key to understanding their behavior in formulations and natural environments. The ability to control and monitor zeta potential can minimize risks related to aggregation and sedimentation, ensuring high-quality products and reliable research outcomes.
How to measure Zeta Potential?
How to measure zeta potential is a common question among researchers. Measuring zeta potential is done by using a zeta potential analyzer like the ZetaView® system. This system uses Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA) to track the electrophoretic mobility of particles. During the measurement, particles are suspended in an electrical field, and their movement is tracked to determine electrophoretic mobility. This data is then converted into zeta potential using models like the Helmholtz-Smoluchowski model.
Advanced Zeta Potential Measurement with the ZetaView® Analyzer
ZetaView® enables precise zeta potential measurement via electrophoretic mobility tracking. It offers multi-parameter analysis, measuring size, concentration, and zeta potential in a single run, with fluorescence capability for labeled subpopulations. Key features include:
Multi-Parameter Analysis
Measure size, concentration, and zeta potential simultaneously.
High Sensitivity & Reproducibility
Accurate results even in low concentrations and complex samples.
Fluorescence Integration
Characterize labeled subpopulations, such as EVs and colloidal dispersions.
Sample Handling & Temperature Control
Ensures precise, streamlined workflows.
Versatility for Complex Samples
Reliable analysis of biological and synthetic particles.
ZetaView® is an ideal tool for nanoparticle stability studies and in-depth characterization of colloidal systems.
Applications of Zeta Potential Analysis across research fields
Zeta potential analysis is widely used in various industries to understand and optimize particle behavior. This versatile measurement technique provides valuable insights that support research, development, and quality control across multiple disciplines:
Pharmaceuticals: Assesses stability and performance of drug delivery systems like liposomes or nanoparticles by preventing aggregation and ensuring proper dispersion
Biotechnology and Life Sciences: Provides insights into the stability and surface properties of biologically relevant particles, such as extracellular vesicles and proteins.
Environmental Science: Helps predict interactions between nanoparticles and natural ecosystems, influencing processes like sedimentation and pollutant transport.
Cosmetics: Determines the stability and texture of emulsions, lotions, and creams to ensure product consistency and longevity.
Food and Beverages: Zeta potential is an indicator for the stability of emulsions, dispersions, and colloidal suspensions in products like sauces and beverages, ensuring homogeneity, quality, and longevity.
Let’s talk about your Zeta Potential Analysis needs
If you’re interested in learning more about how zeta potential analysis can benefit your research or product development, get in touch with our experts. We can provide personalized consultations, demos, and technical support to help you achieve your goals.
Frequently asked questions about Zeta Potential
What types of samples can be analyzed with Zeta Potential measurements?
Zeta potential can be measured for all nanoparticles (e.g. extracellular vesicles, nano bubbles, nano metals) within a size range of 20* – 5000nm and a concentration range of 106 – 1010 particles/ml in a buffer conductivity range of 3μS/cm – 15mS/cm.
(*sample and laser dependent)
What are the main advantages of using Particle Metrix’s technology for zeta potential analysis?
Particle Metrix’s technology enables highly precise zeta potential measurements due to the stationary layer determination. That allows zeta potential measurement excluding the influence of the electrical field induced liquid flow, like in other techniques. In addition, it offers the opportunity to measure zeta potential, size and concentration in a single measurement for an all-in-one nanoparticle characterization.
How do I ensure reproducibility and accuracy in my measurements?
There are several quality parameters that can be controlled before and during each measurement. For example, a small ∆SL indicates a low variation between the measurement layers and the number of traced particles informs about the statistical relevance of the result.
Additionally, a consistent sample preparation and the ideal instrument settings, which we deliver during the instrument training guarantee accurate measurements.
Can I analyze fluorescently labeled particles?
Yes, the ZetaView® systems support fluorescence measurements, enabling the analysis of labeled subpopulations within a sample. Depending on the chosen model (MONO, TWIN, QUATT) and the number of implemented fluorescent filters, the ZetaView features the analysis of up to 10 different fluorescent channels.
