All is well in Dr. Gardea’s lab as I learned how to run Zeta-potential analysis that tells us the potential difference between the medium and the layer coated around the nanoparticle, which tells us about its stability (the higher the number, the more stable the particle in solution). However, we are having trouble getting graphs for the controls of TiO2, so we are adding different salts (KNO3 and NaCl) to help stabilize the nanoparticles and get better readings.
Oh cool! One of the students here is also looking at Zeta potential when dealing with particle size of hBN in solutions of isopropyl alcohol. Are you looking for the TiO2 to stay dissolved in your solution? How do the salts help to stabilize the solution? I was trying to understand Zeta potential and read that it could be affected by pH, ionic strength, additives and temperature but not really sure how those things can affect it. Excited to see how your experiment turns out!
Hi Rebecca, The salts coat the TiO2 with a charge, which helps it interact and attract with water and stabilize. The TiO2 is naturally a little hydrophobic. I am not sure what pH would do, though.
Hey, Sheri! I’m going to work with Titanium Dioxide, too! What type of surface will you be bonding the TiO2 to? How will the salts help stabilize the nanoparticles? I’m so curious! 🙂