Detection of elementary charges on colloidal particles.
We have succeeded in determining the charge of individual colloidal particles with resolution higher than the elementary charge. The number of elementary charges on a particle is obtained from the analysis of optical tracking data of weakly charged silica spheres in an electric field in a nonpolar medium. The analysis also yields an accurate value of the particle size. Measurement of the charge as a function of time reveals events in which the particle loses or gains an elementary charge due to ionization or recombination processes at the surface.
Strubbe
Filip
F
Ghent University, Electronics and Information Systems, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 41, Ghent B-9000, Belgium.
Beunis
Filip
F
Neyts
Kristiaan
K
D055592:Biophysical Phenomena; D001703:Biophysics; D003102:Colloids / Q000737:chemistry*; D004058:Diffusion; D004586:Electrophoresis; D008956:Models, Chemical; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry
D003102:Colloids; D012822:Silicon Dioxide