title: 3D characterization of natural colloids by FlFFF-MALLS-TEM.
abstract: Understanding the role of colloids in the environment needs a more complete characterization of their size and shape than the usually used hydrodynamic diameter. A novel methodology to determine three dimensional description of colloids has been successfully experimented in this work by coupling Flow-Field Flow Fractionation (FlFFF) to Multi Angle Laser Light Scattering (MALLS), and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM). This methodology was evaluated for a soil colloidal sample. Results show that, the particles surface areas determined by FlFFF-MALLS-TEM, are 3-4 times greater than those calculated using the hydrodynamic diameter determined by FlFFF. Further, results indicated that, the surface area/volume values are 3-5 times greater than those calculated based on the hydrodynamic diameter. Therefore, a correction factor must be applied when the particle surface area is calculated from the hydrodynamic diameter determined by FlFFF.
authors.affiliation: Center of Development of Applied Geology, University of Bordeaux 1, Avenue des Facultés, 33400 Talence, France. mbalousha@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: Mohammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baalousha
authors.forename: Frank V D
authors.initials: FV
authors.lastname: Kammer
authors.forename: Mikael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Motelica-Heino
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Le Coustumer