Investigating Particle Size, Colloidal Stability, and Zeta Potential of Colloidal Materials and Macromolecules

这些资金将用于购买材料化学研究的关键设备;粒度分析（PSA）和zeta电位测量系统。该系统对于表征胶体材料的性质是必要的（例如，颗粒或大分子的分散体）或薄膜的表面电荷。待评估的性质包括作为温度或溶液组成变化的函数的颗粒保持分散在溶液中的能力。要检查的其他属性包括作为组合物或加工条件的函数的粒度分布，以及与胶体物质相关的电荷。该设备还可以表征这些胶体材料在暴露于刺激性化学品或高温下随时间推移的稳定性。感兴趣的材料包括用于燃料电池的大分子，用于显示和传感应用的分子组件，以及用于体内递送治疗分子的聚合物组件。其他感兴趣的材料包括定制制备的颗粒，以进一步实现分子物质的按需或以其他方式受控释放、生物组织的标记或新催化剂和膜材料的开发。所请求的系统将支持开发（例如，指导科学家进行化学修饰的测试）和质量控制（例如，确保这些材料的可重复性的试验）。**该系统迫切需要取代一个失败的单元，该单元每天都被大量使用，以指导西蒙弗雷泽大学高素质人员（HQP）的研究。所要求的系统将允许研究人员通过颗粒的尺寸、颗粒浓度、样品多分散性、样品流量和颗粒悬浮液（胶体）的zeta电位来确定颗粒的分布。此外，它将处理少量有价值的样品，并将用于通过zeta电位分析获得固体平面材料的等电点（例如，用于表征燃料电池膜和改性电极的关键信息）。每年约有52名人力资源规划人员将接受实际操作培训并使用这些设备，从而获得使用高度专业化仪器的技能。这将使他们能够优化合成工艺，并获得将样品成分、工艺条件、胶体性质、老化和再现性相关联的能力。加拿大人将受益于胶体和固体材料的这种特性，因为它将使科学家能够构建用于清洁能源系统、先进传感器和改进治疗剂的新的更好的材料。具体的例子包括提高燃料电池的能量效率和耐久性的材料，以及用于有效输送和靶向释放分子物质的微调系统。该系统还将导致化学和材料科学的新知识。

These funds will enable purchase of critically important equipment for materials chemistry research; a system for particle size analysis (PSA) and zeta potential measurements. This system is necessary to characterize the properties of colloidal materials (e.g., dispersions of particles or macromolecules) or surface charges of thin films. Properties to be assessed include the ability of a particle to remain dispersed in solution as a function of changes in temperature or composition of the solution. Other properties to be examined include particle size distributions as a function of composition or processing conditions, and the charges associated with colloidal species. The equipment also enables the characterization of the stability of these colloidal materials over time, after exposure to harsh chemicals, or at elevated temperatures. Materials of interest include macromolecules used in fuel cells, molecular assemblies for display and sensing applications, and polymer assemblies for in vivo delivery of therapeutic molecules. Additional materials of interest include custom prepared particles to further enable on demand or otherwise controlled release of molecular species, labelling of biological tissues, or the development of new catalysts and membrane materials. The requested system will enable development (e.g., tests to guide scientists in making chemical modifications) and quality control (e.g., tests that assure reproducibility) of these materials.******This system is urgently needed to replace a failed unit that had been used heavily on a daily basis to guide the research of highly qualified personnel (HQP) at Simon Fraser University. The requested system will allow researchers to determine distribution of particles by their size, particle concentrations, sample polydispersity, sample flow, and zeta potentials of a suspension of particles (a colloid). In addition, it will handle small amounts of valuable samples, and will be used to obtain isoelectric points of solid, planar materials through zeta potential analyses (e.g., key information for characterizing fuel cell membranes and modified electrodes).******On an annual basis, ~52 HQP will receive hands-on training and access to this equipment, thereby gaining skills in the use of highly specialized instruments. This will enable them to optimize synthetic processes and gain the ability to correlate sample composition, process conditions, colloidal properties, aging, and reproducibility.******Canadians will benefit from this characterization of colloidal and solid materials as it will enables scientists to build new and better materials for use in clean energy systems, for advanced sensors, and for improved therapeutic agents. Specific examples include materials that improve the energy efficiency and durability of fuel cells, as well as fine-tuned systems for efficient delivery and targeted release of molecular species. This system will also lead to new knowledge in the chemical and materials sciences.