NMR relaxation relevance to the measurement of the wetted surface area of particulate suspensions

This white paper by Mageleka demonstrates how NMR relaxation is a superior method to gas adsorption and titration techniques for the determination of the wetted surface area of particulate suspensions. Further, it can provide important information about both the extent of the particle-liquid interface (and the interplay between internal and external surface) and the nature of the particle-liquid interface (surface/interfacial chemistry). It complements results obtained from established techniques such as particle sizing and zeta potential, but additionally provides information that cannot be observed simply with those (or other) particle characterization devices. Moreover, it requires fewer assumptions than other techniques, which reduces data bias and, ultimately, the possibility of erroneous conclusions.

The relatively small size, ease of operation and high data fidelity of benchtop NMR spectrometers, such as Mageleka’s MagnoMeter XRS, eliminate the need for large analytical NMR devices in any laboratory that routinely measures wetted surface area of particulate suspensions. Additional advantages of the technique are that measurements are rapid, can be used over a very wide range of solids concentration and samples can be opaque.