Combining SAXS and DLS for simultaneous measurements and time-resolved monitoring of nanoparticle synthesis

Time-resolved characterization of nano-particle (NP) synthesis is a promising mean to produce NPs under controlled conditions. Here, an innovative experimental demonstration of a NP characterization tool which combines a laboratory Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) instrument, a new Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) device and a microflow reactor is shown. The complementary SAXS and DLS techniques were designed and optimized to meet the ambitious requirements of time-resolved monitoring of NP suspensions while ongoing synthesis. For this purpose, SAXS instrument performance was enhanced by the implementation and optimization of a unique X-ray metal jet source. In parallel, an innovative DLS fiber remote probe head was developed specifically for in situ measurements. DLS measurements were performed directly inside a 2.0 mm diameter glass capillary located inside the SAXS vacuum sample chamber. The combined SAXS and DLS devices were tested separately on commercially available gold NP suspensions of known size. Furthermore, simultaneous SAXS and DLS measurements were performed during the synthesis of silica NPs.