Method and device for examining a surface-active substance
AssigneeJPK Instruments AG
InventorsDetlef Knebel, Matthias Amrein
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Abstract
The invention relates to a method of and an apparatus for studying properties, especially physical properties of a surfactant. A fluid is introduced in the form of a sample volume in another fluid which is immiscible with said fluid so that an interface is formed between the one fluid and the other fluid, at least in a partial area of a surface of the sample volume. The sample volume is configured so as to be axially symmetrical around a given defining axis, whereby the interface is formed axially symmetrically with respect to the given defining axis. The surfactant is spread across the interface to form a surface film in the area of the interface with the surfactant. Thereupon the surface film can by studied microscopically.
Claims23
A method of studying properties, especially physical properties, of a surfactant, the method comprising the following steps:
- introducing one fluid (2) in the form of a sample volume (1) in another fluid (3) which is immiscible with said one fluid (2) so that an interface (5) forms between the one fluid (2) and the other fluid (3) at least in a partial area of a surface of the sample volume (1), the sample volume (1) becoming configured axially symmetrically around a given defining axis (6) so that the interface (5) will be axially symmetrical with respect to the given defining axis (6);
- spreading the surfactant across the interface (5) to form a surface film in the area of the interface (5);
- and
- studying the surface film microscopically.
The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sample volume (1) is varied in the course of the microscopic study of the surface film so as to enlarge and/or reduce the interface (5).
The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a surface tension is measured when the surface film is studied microscopically.
The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a microscope (100) is used in the microscopic study of the surface film, its optical axis being aligned collinearly with the given defining axis (6).
The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a raster scan microscope is used in the microscopic study.
An apparatus for studying properties, especially physical properties of a surfactant, the apparatus comprising the following features:
- a measurement chamber (8) which is filled at least partly with another fluid (3);
- an introducing means for introducing a sample volume (1) of one fluid (2) in said other fluid (3) which is immiscible with the one fluid (2) so that an interface (5) forms between the one fluid (2) and the other fluid (3) at least in a partial area of a surface of the sample volume (1), the sample volume (1) becoming configured axially symmetrically around a given defining axis (6) so that the interface (5) will be axially symmetrical with respect to the given defining axis (6);
- and
- a microscope means for microscopic study of the surface film.
The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 22, characterized in that a device is provided for measuring a surface tension.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.