Equipment

JPK Nanowizard 3 Atomic Force Microscope

The JPK Nanowizard 3 Atomic Force Microscope enables the capture nanoscale topological profiles of materials such as 2D nanomaterials, nanoparticle dispersions and polymers, as well as biological samples such as bacteria and cells, in both air and liquid environments.

The JPK Nanowizard 3 AFM can be used in contact, non-contact and alternating contact modes, for imaging, force spectroscopy, and force mapping. The instrument combines an optical imaging system with AFM imaging and force measurement in order to characterise sample topography, surface and mechanical properties.

We are currently building the capabilities to locally measure conductivity in conjunction with measured height profiles. Each AFM image can span an area of between 5 nm and 50 μm, and can measure height changes from <1 nm - several microns.

Anton Paar MCR 302 Rheometer

The Anton Paar MCR 302 rheometer is an instrument that can be used to measure the flow or deformation properties of your sample. A variety of measuring systems are available allowing you to choose the most appropriate geometry for your sample based on, for example, viscosity, available sample volume, sedimentation, evaporation or ease of cleaning. Precise temperature control (± 0.05 °C) is available via a water/glycol bath. In addition to this, a temperature-controlled hood and solvent trap are available for parallel-plate and cone-plate geometries to limit sample evaporation.

Some standard measurements include rotational tests to determine viscosity during shear flow, or oscillatory tests to probe viscoelastic properties (such as the storage modulus G’ and loss modulus G”) of the sample structure. Temperature is also measured and can be varied to carry out temperature curing tests. The Anton Paar RheoCompass software is used to control the rheometer and provides templates for all available measurements. Collected data can be exported from RheoCompass to various formats, including csv.

To find out more or to be trained to use this instrument, please contact: Joshua King

Email: josh.king@monash.edu

Pendant Drop Tensiometer (OpenDrop)

Our custom pendant drop tensiometer system is used for measuring surface and interfacial tension from ~2 mN/m upwards, on timescales from a few seconds to several hours. It utilises OpenDrop software, which analyses and fits drop profiles to acquire surface and interfacial tension.

Contact Angle (OpenDrop)

Our custom contact angle tensiometer setup is operated by ConAn software. ConAn analyses and fits drop profiles on material surfaces for accurate contact angle measurements. This technique is ideal for material surface characterisation and solid-liquid-gas phase interaction studies.

Contact angle mode is available within the OpenDrop package.

Bubble Pressure Tensiometer

The Krüss BP100 measures interfacial tension as a function of surface age from <5 milliseconds to 200 seconds. This instrument is ideally used to measure short time scale behaviour of surfactants at the air–water interface for determination of adsorption coefficients, diffusion coefficients and time taken to reach a specific interfacial tension. Equilibrium interfacial tension can sometimes be measured, however, pendant drop tensiometry is often more suitable. Sample data output is shown below:

Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) +
Phase Analysis Light Scattering (PALS)

The Brookhaven Nanobrook OMNI is suitable for sub-micron Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) for particle sizing and distribution (particles <5 nm –~1 micron), as well as Phase Analysis Light Scattering (PALS) for zeta potential measurements on dispersed particle media. We have cells and setups to use non-aqueous solvents, as well as all aqueous media.

Ultrasonic plate transducer

Ultrasound is able to create cavitation bubbles in liquid phases (usually aqueous), which contributes to the formation of nanoparticles and polymerised products of complex molecules. With this transducer's capability to generate sound waves up to 1170 KHz, it also can act as an external mechanical stimulus to trigger the release of pharmaceutical contents from nanoparticles or hydrogels.

LabConCo Freeze Driers

We have two LabConco Freeze driers (2.5 and 4.5 L coil capacity) to suit needs for removing organic and aqueous solvents. Freeze drying samples allows the user to remove solvents at room temperature but reduced pressure, where high temperatures could jeopardise the sample.

The Labconco Freeze Dryer is designed for lyophilizing light sample loads.
The upright stainless steel collector coil holds 2.5/4.5 litres of ice before requiring defrosting. Samples are first frozen in liquid nitrogen before being put under strong vacuum, at which point solvent begins to be removed gently by sublimation.