Polymer Characterisation Using Light Scattering Techniques and Equipment From Malvern Instruments

Topics Covered

     Dynamic Light Scattering
     Non-Invasive Backscatter Optics
Case Studies
     Case Study 1: Measuring Polymer Molecular Size and Weight
     Case Study 2 - Monitoring Polymer Phase Transitions
     Case Study 3: Monitoring changes in polymer conformation
Zetasizer Nano System


Light scattering techniques are widely used for the characterization of solutions of polymers and macromolecules.

Dynamic Light Scattering

Dynamic light scattering (also know as photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS) and quasi-elastic light scattering (QELS)) measures the time-dependent fluctuations in the intensity of scattered light that occurs because the particles are undergoing Brownian motion. The velocity of this Brownian motion is measured and is called the translational diffusion coefficient D. This diffusion coefficient can be converted into particle size using the Stokes-Einstein equation.


Polymers are used in a wide variety of applications due to their diversity of properties. The molecular structure, conformation and orientation of the polymer molecules can greatly affect the macroscopic properties of the material.

Random coil polymer molecules have open conformations. This results in low refractive index differences with the continuous phase and as a result they scatter very little light. For such weakly scattering samples, the intensity of scattering observed using conventional DLS instruments (i.e. 90° detection) may not be sufficient for successful sizing measurements to be performed.

Non-Invasive Backscatter Optics

The Zetasizer Nano range of instruments incorporates non-invasive back scatter (NIBS™) optics. The scattered light is detected at an angle of 173°. The novel optics arrangement maximises the detection of scattered light while maintaining signal quality. This provides the exceptional sensitivity that is required for measuring the size of molecules smaller than 1000 Daltons.

Case Studies

This application note summarises measurements made on various polymers in solution using the Zetasizer Nano S. The Nano S contains a 4mW He-Ne laser operating at a wavelength of 633nm and an avalanche photodiode (APD) detector.

Case Study 1: Measuring Polymer Molecular Size and Weight

Even thought absolute molecular weight measurements are obtained using static light scattering, molecular weight can sometimes be inferred from DLS measurements by exploiting the Mark-Houwinck relationship that defines the intrinsic viscosity of a polymer solution in terms of the molecular weight of the solute.

This turns out to be closely related to the translational diffusion coefficient (D) of the molecules in the following equation:

D = kM- α

Where k is a constant for a particular polymer in a solvent, M is the molecular weight of the solute and á is a conformational parameter describing the compactness of the molecule in solution. A measured value for á of 1 suggests that the solute molecules are rigid rods; a value of 0.5 to 0.67 is obtained with random coils and a value of 0.3 occurs for spheres. Therefore, it is possible to obtain information regarding the conformation of a solute molecule in a particular solvent from DLS measurements.

Table 1 summarises DLS sizing measurements performed on a number of polystyrene samples of various molecular weights dissolved in toluene. The z-average diameter is the mean diameter based on the intensity of scattered light.

Table 1. z-average diameters (in nanometres) obtained for various known molecular weight polystyrene samples dissolved in toluene

Polystyrene Molecular Weight (Daltons)

z-Average Diameter (nm)









Taking logs of the equation D = kM , the following expression is obtained;

Log D = Log k - α Log M

Therefore a graph of Log D versus Log M will give a plot whose slope is á. The translational diffusion coefficient, D, is related to particle size through the Stoke-Einstein equation. Therefore, a plot of Log particle size versus Log M also allows determination of the value of á. Figure 1 shows such a plot for the data contained in table 1. The slope of the line is 0.31 indicating that the polystyrene molecules have adopted a spherical conformation in toluene.

Figure 1. Plot of the log z-average diameter versus log molecular weight for polystyrene in toluene. The slope of the line is 0.31 indicating that the molecules have a spherical conformation is solution.

Case Study 2 - Monitoring Polymer Phase Transitions

Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) is one of the most well known polymers that exhibits a reversible, temperature-dependent phase transition. The temperature at which this occurs is known as the cloud point or lower critical solution temperature (LCST). PNIPAM is soluble at temperatures below the LCST and the polymer has a random coil conformation. At temperatures above the LCST, the polymer chains collapse into a globule. This sharp transition is attributed to alterations in the hydrogen bonding of water molecules to the amide group of the side chain.

Figure 2 shows the results obtained from a temperature scan of a sample of PNIPAM prepared in deionised water at a 0.01% w/v concentration. Measurements were made at 0.5°C intervals using a temperature range of 10 to 40°C. A delay time of 5 minutes was used at each temperature to ensure that the sample viscosity was equilibrated before the measurements were taken. Both the mean count rate (in kilo counts per second (kcps)) and z-average diameter (nm) are plotted as a function of temperature (°C).

Figure 2. The mean count rate (kcps) and z-average diameter (nm) of PNIPAM plotted as a function of temperature.

The large increase in the mean count rate at a temperature of 32°C is consistent with previously published LCST values for PNIPAM. This increase in the scattered light results from a change in the refractive index of the PNIPAM molecules as they undergo a transition from random coil to condensed globule. The refractive index of the condensed globule structure is higher than that of the random coil polymer.

Figure 3 shows the intensity size distributions obtained at (a) 10°C and (b) 40°C. When the PNIPAM molecules are in a random coil configuration, the size distribution is broader compared to when the polymer is in a condensed globule. The polydispersity index values obtained at these two temperatures are 0.491 and 0.087 respectively. The lower value of 0.087 confirms the narrower size distribution seen at 40°C.

Figure 3. Intensity size distributions of 0.01%w/v PNIPAM measured at (a) 10°C and (b) 40°C.

Case Study 3: Monitoring changes in polymer conformation

Dynamic light scattering can easily monitor temperature dependent changes in the conformation of polymer particles. Figure 4 shows the effect on the mean count rate and z-average diameter of a polymer particle dispersion as the temperature was increased. The measurements were made at 1°C intervals with an equilibration time of 5 minutes at each temperature.

Figure 4. The effect of increasing temperature on the mean count rate and z-average diameter of a polymer particle dispersion.

The z-average diameter increases with increasing temperature. Normally, an increase in the z-average diameter is an indication of particle aggregation. This would also result in an increase in the mean count rate. However, in the results obtained in this study, the mean count rates decrease upon heating. Therefore, the increase in the mean diameter indicates that the polymer particles are swelling with increasing temperature. As the conformation of these swollen particles becomes more open with increasing temperature, the refractive index of particles decreases with a resultant decrease in the mean count rate.


The Zetasizer Nano series with NIBS™ optics allows for study of very small, weakly scattering particles such as polymers at low concentrations. The Nano software allows for the easy setup of temperature versus size and intensity measurements with full control over equilibration times. Monitoring both mean count rate and particle size as a function of temperature elicits information on changes in polymer conformation and helps to understand what processes are occurring.

Zetasizer Nano System

The Zetasizer Nano system from Malvern Instruments is the first commercial instrument to include the hardware and software for combined dynamic, static, and electrophoretic light scattering measurements. The wide range of sample properties available for measurement with the Zetasizer Nano system include, particle size, molecular weight, and zeta potential.

The Zetasizer Nano system was specifically designed to meet the low concentration and sample volume requirements typically associated with pharmaceutical and biomolecular applications, along with the high concentration requirements for colloidal applications. Satisfying this unique mix of requirements was accomplished via the integration of a backscatter optical system and the design of a novel cell chamber. As a consequence of these features, the Zetasizer Nano specifications for sample size and concentration exceed those for any other commercially available dynamic light scattering instrument, with a size range of 0.6nm to 6µm, and a concentration range of 0.1mg/mL lysozyme to 40% w/v.

Complementary to the patented hardware design, is the DTS software, providing instrument control and data analysis for the Zetasizer Nano System. The DTS software utilizes self analyzing algorithms to insure that the optical setup is optimized for each set of experimental conditions, and includes a unique "one click" measure, analyze, and report feature designed to minimize the new user learning curve.

Source: "Characterisation of Polymers Using Light Scattering Techniques", Application Note by Malvern Instruments.

For more information on this source please visit Malvern Instruments Ltd (UK) or Malvern Instruments (USA).

Date Added: May 10, 2005 | Updated: Jun 11, 2013
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