Surface zeta potential measurement used to require its own instrument. Now, Malvern Instruments has introduced the Surface Zeta Potential (SZP) cell, an accessory for Malvern’s Zetasizer Nano systems (the Nano Z, Nano ZS or Nano ZS90), which characterize nanoparticles and colloids. The cell allows the measurement of a sample in liquid. The cell began shipping during the fourth quarter and is priced at £3,610 ($5,770 = £0.62 = $1).

The concept of the cell was driven by customer input, said Malcolm Connah, Malvern Product Marketing manager. “We have been asked for this accessory by some of our customers who have tried other methods of surface zeta potential measurement and been disappointed by the results,” he said. The sample is placed at right angles between two parallel palladium electrode plates. This creates an electric field across the sample’s surface. If the sample has a zeta potential, liquid near the surface of the sample will flow across the sample due to electro-osmosis. The zeta potential of the surface is related to the speed at which the liquid flows.

The introduction of the cell is in line with Malvern’s goal of developing products that address not only current but future market needs, said Mr. Connah. “We believe there is a place for introducing some novel technologies ahead of market requirements becoming fully established, particularly where it extends an existing product into new application areas,” he told IBO. Early applications for the SZP cell include studying the interaction of materials with surfaces, development of microfluidics, and development of treatment methods for polluted groundwater.