Leverage zeta potential characterization services to boost research confidence and accelerate development.
Zeta potential is a key parameter for predicting the long-term stability of colloidal dispersions and understanding their interactions within biological environments. As a direct indicator of surface charge magnitude, it critically influences particle aggregation, flocculation, and cellular uptake efficiency. BOC Sciences leverages a suite of advanced analytical techniques, including Electrophoretic Light Scattering (ELS), Phase Analysis Light Scattering (PALS), and complementary methods, to deliver precise and reliable Zeta potential measurements. This multi-method approach enables researchers to move beyond simple charge assessment, providing comprehensive insights into surface chemistry modifications, isoelectric points, and formulation stability, supporting the development and optimization of complex nanomaterials.
3D Diagram of Nanoparticle Zeta PotentialRegardless of your project's current stage, we provide precise surface charge profiling to help you gain a profound understanding of your nanomaterials' physicochemical identity.
Our technical experts assist you in verifying the success of surface modifications, ensuring that your functionalization strategies achieve the intended chemical performance.
We help you predict the long-term performance of your products in complex matrices, effectively reducing aggregation risks and enhancing formulation robustness.
Through rigorous comparative testing and standardized protocols, we provide the reliable data you need to ensure the exceptional quality of every batch.
Instrument: Laser Doppler Micro-electrophoresis System
Principle: Measures the velocity of particles moving in an applied electric field. The frequency shift of scattered light (Doppler shift) is used to calculate electrophoretic mobility and subsequently Zeta potential.
Typical Applications:
Instrument: Advanced ELS system with PALS technology
Principle: A variation of ELS that measures the phase shift of scattered light rather than the frequency shift. It is significantly more sensitive to slow-moving particles.
Typical Applications:
Instrument: Surface Zeta Potential Cell Accessory
Principle: Measures the electrophoretic mobility of tracer particles at various distances from a solid surface to calculate the Zeta potential of the macroscopic surface itself.
Typical Applications:
Instrument: Nanopore-based sensing platform
Principle: Measures the change in ionic current as particles pass through a nanopore. The pulse duration relates to electrophoretic mobility, allowing simultaneous size and charge measurement of single particles.
Typical Applications:
Don't let aggregation derail your research. BOC Sciences provides the critical surface charge data needed to refine your formulations and ensure consistent performance in biological environments.
Surface charge is highly dependent on material composition and dispersion media. We tailor our measurement parameters (voltage, cell type, analysis model) to suit the specific dielectric properties and fragility of your nanomaterials:
| Nanoparticle Type | Critical Analysis Focus | Key Applications |
| Lipid Nanoparticles (LNPs) | Charge magnitude & pH stability | Predicting fusion efficiency with cell membranes; assessing shelf-life stability; optimizing nucleic acid encapsulation. |
| Metal Nanoparticles (Au, Ag) | Ligand coverage verification | Confirming exchange of citrate with antibodies/peptides; preventing salt-induced aggregation. |
| Polymeric Nanoparticles | Functional group assessment | Monitoring hydrolysis of PLGA; verifying presence of amine/carboxyl groups; optimizing drug release profiles. |
| Silica / Oxide Particles | Isoelectric Point (IEP) | Determining stable pH windows; optimizing dispersion for CMP slurries or coatings. |
| Carbon Nanomaterials | Dispersion quality | Assessing effectiveness of surfactants/dispersants in aqueous or organic media to prevent bundling. |
| Quantum Dots | Surface passivation | Ensuring colloidal stability to maintain optical properties; verifying ligand capping for biocompatibility. |
Accurate Zeta potential analysis is prone to artifacts caused by sample environment and electrode interactions. BOC Sciences employs advanced techniques to mitigate these common issues:
✔ High Salt / Physiological Media
High conductivity causes electrode blackening and Joule heating, distorting results. We use diffusion barrier methods and short-pulse PALS technology to measure samples in PBS or serum without degradation.
✔ Sample Aggregation During Test
Applying high voltage can induce aggregation in fragile samples. We optimize voltage settings and restrict measurement duration to capture the native state before field-induced artifacts occur.
✔ Fluorescence Interference
Fluorescent samples can saturate detectors in standard ELS. We utilize narrow-band optical filters to block fluorescence emission, ensuring the signal comes solely from scattered light.
✔ Low Concentration Samples
Weak scattering from dilute or small particles leads to poor signal-to-noise ratios. We employ high-power laser sources and sensitive avalanche photodiode detectors to resolve weak signals.
✔ Organic Solvent Dispersions
Non-polar solvents have low dielectric constants, making mobility measurements difficult. We use specialized dip cells and PALS to accurately measure charge in non-aqueous systems.
✔ Multimodal Distributions
Standard ELS reports an average. For mixtures of charged particles, we apply advanced frequency analysis or single-particle tracking methods to distinguish different charge populations.
We define the scope based on your material properties (conductivity, solvent) and goals (stability check, modification proof).
Precise dilution in appropriate buffers. We ensure pH and ionic strength are controlled to match your target application environment.
Execution of ELS/PALS measurements. Multiple runs are performed to ensure statistical significance and rule out drift.
Delivery of reports containing Zeta potential distribution plots, phase plots, conductivity data, and expert interpretation of stability.
We assist you in refining the biological performance of your delivery vehicles through precise charge modulation.
Our team provides the essential data required to ensure the consistency and robustness of your novel nanomaterials.
Leverage our expertise to understand the fate and efficiency of nanoparticles in environmental applications.
We support your formulation science by optimizing the texture and stability of nano-enabled products.
Client: A biotechnology firm developing mRNA vaccines.
Requirement: The client needed to optimize the ratio of ionizable lipids in their LNPs. The goal was to ensure the LNPs were neutral in the bloodstream (to reduce toxicity) but became positively charged in the acidic endosome (to facilitate endosomal escape).
Solution: BOC Sciences conducted a systematic pH titration study ranging from pH 4.0 to 8.0 to determine the LNPs' apparent pKa. We combined this with detailed Zeta potential measurements across multiple pH points, generating a comprehensive charge transition profile. This approach allowed us to pinpoint formulation adjustments needed to achieve minimal systemic charge while promoting efficient endosomal escape.
Outcome: The data revealed that the initial formulation remained too positive at physiological pH. Based on our analysis, the client adjusted the lipid composition. The final formulation showed a near-neutral charge at pH 7.4 and a sharp transition to positive charge at pH 5.5, validating the design for effective intracellular delivery.
Client: A diagnostic kit manufacturer.
Requirement: The client was conjugating antibodies to citrate-capped Gold Nanoparticles (AuNPs). They struggled with batch-to-batch reproducibility and needed a rapid method to confirm successful conjugation without using expensive functional assays for every batch.
Solution: BOC Sciences developed a standardized QC workflow leveraging Zeta potential measurements to assess antibody conjugation on AuNPs. Citrate-capped AuNPs initially displayed a strong negative charge (~-40 mV). Upon successful antibody binding, the hydrodynamic shear plane shifts, reducing the surface charge to a less negative range (-10 to -20 mV). We defined a precise acceptance window for conjugates and validated the method across multiple batches, enabling rapid, reproducible, and non-destructive verification without relying on costly functional assays.
Outcome: The Zeta potential analysis provided a quick, non-destructive "Go/No-Go" metric for production. The client was able to identify failed conjugation batches immediately, saving time and reagents on downstream processing.
High-Sensitivity OpticsOur advanced detection systems allow for measurement of samples with low concentrations or low scattering properties, such as small proteins and dilute polymers.
Diffusion Barrier MethodWe utilize specialized sample loading techniques to protect proteins and sensitive nanoparticles from denaturation caused by electrode contact during measurement.
Expert Data InterpretationWe don't just give you a number. Our experts analyze phase plots and quality reports to distinguish between true Zeta potential and artifacts like electrode polarization or thermal convection.
Flexible Service ModelsFrom single-sample testing to large-scale formulation screening and stability studies, we offer flexible packages tailored to your R&D timeline.
Comprehensive CharacterizationWe can combine Zeta potential data with DLS (Size) and TEM (Morphology) to provide a holistic view of your nanoparticle's physical state.
The ζ-potential of nanoparticles is a key indicator for evaluating dispersion stability. High absolute values (positive or negative) indicate strong electrostatic repulsion and better dispersion, while low values may lead to aggregation or sedimentation. Accurate ζ-potential measurement helps understand the effect of solution conditions or surface modifications, guiding optimization in preparation and storage.
Electrophoretic light scattering combined with dynamic light scattering (DLS) is the mainstream technique for ζ-potential analysis. By applying an electric field, particle mobility is measured and converted to ζ-potential. This method covers a wide particle size range, requires minimal sample, and allows evaluation under different pH and ionic strength, suitable for R&D and quality control.
Solution pH, ionic strength, and the presence of surfactants significantly influence nanoparticle ζ-potential. For example, pH changes alter surface functional group charges, while higher ionic strength can screen electrostatic repulsion and reduce stability. Understanding these factors helps control dispersion and self-assembly behavior, optimizing process design and functional performance.
Monitoring ζ-potential changes with formulation adjustments guides the selection of surface modifiers, solvents, or additives to improve stability or control aggregation. In emulsions or nanocarriers, ζ-potential data directly reflect surface charge regulation, enhancing reproducibility and performance reliability in preparation.
Abnormal ζ-potential changes are an early signal of particle aggregation or sedimentation. When absolute values drop below critical levels, repulsion is insufficient, promoting cluster formation. Combined with particle size distribution analysis, aggregation can be accurately assessed, supporting formulation screening, surface modification evaluation, and storage stability monitoring.
