Microrheology
Chapter 5
Zetasizer Nano accessories guide
Page 5-3
Microrheology measurement process
With the cell loaded into the instrument, and the SOP configured, a measurement
can be performed.
To make a microrheology measurement, only one measurement is technically
needed - a size measurement used by the software to calculate the relaxation times,
and therefore the viscosity and moduli values.
However, in order to make reliable measurements, the full process consists of
making three distinct measurements, in this sequence:
1.
Tracer compatibility measurement (zeta potential)
2.
Tracer concentration measurement (size)
3.
Microrheology measurement
Steps 1 and 2 are optimization phases. These are zeta potential and size
measurements on the tracer particle and subsequently the sample to ensure all
requirements are met before performing the microrheology measurement itself.
These stages are not always necessary and depend upon the measurement setup and
data available. It is possible to proceed directly to the microrheology measurement
(3) if required.
The optimization stages are shown in the flow charts below: