Zeta potential measurement.
This chapter describes a method for the measurement of the electrostatic potential at the electrical double layer surrounding a nanoparticle in solution. This is referred to as the zeta potential. Nanoparticles with a zeta potential between -10 and +10 mV are considered approximately neutral, while nanoparticles with zeta potentials of greater than +30 mV or less than -30 mV are considered strongly cationic and strongly anionic, respectively. Since most cellular membranes are negatively charged, zeta potential can affect a nanoparticle's tendency to permeate membranes, with cationic particles generally displaying more toxicity associated with cell wall disruption. This technique is demonstrated for two types of nanoparticles commonly used in biological applications: colloidal gold (strongly anionic) and amine-terminated PAMAM dendrimer (strongly cationic).
Nanotechnology Characterization Laboratory, Advanced Technology Program, SAIC-Frederick, Inc., National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD, USA.
Jeffrey D
JD
Clogston
Anil K
AK
Patri
D000838:Anions; D002412:Cations; D003102:Colloids / Q000737:chemistry; D050091:Dendrimers / Q000737:chemistry*; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D055672:Static Electricity; D013696:Temperature; D014783:Viscosity; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
D000838:Anions; D002412:Cations; D003102:Colloids; D050091:Dendrimers; C104700:PAMAM Starburst; D014867:Water; D006046:Gold