Immersion liquid techniques in solid particle characterization: A review

• Published in: Talanta (Oxford) Vol. 149; pp. 225 - 236
• Main Authors: Niskanen, Ilpo, Hibino, Kenichi, Räty, Jukka
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.03.2016
• Subjects: colloids; Concentration; cosmetics; evaporation; Immersion liquid method; Mineral particle; monitoring; particle size; Pigment; Purity testing; Refractive index; temperature; wavelengths; Pigment; Mineral particle; Concentration; Refractive index; Immersion liquid method; Purity testing
• ISSN: 0039-9140; 1873-3573; 1873-3573
• DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2015.11.051

Chemical, physical and optical properties of small solid particles are widely utilized in our everyday merchandises. For example, tailored particles embedded in paper or cosmetics improve the visual appearance of the products substantially. As a consequence of the small size of particles, one particle characterization tool is a microscope. It may provide e.g. the particle size, shape and the refractive index. The determination of the refractive index, using the microscope, typically exploited the so-called immersion liquid method. In this review, we provide an overview of non-imaging immersion matching techniques including immersion liquid set, the temperature, the wavelength, the double variation and the liquid evaporation methods. The basic features, benefits and limitations of each technique have been described followed by examples of potential applications in a quality monitoring of particle suspensions and colloids in industry. [Display omitted] •Overview of current techniques determination of refractive index of particles.•Review of immersion matching methods and application in particle characterization.•The wavelength matching method relatively easy, economic and fast to determine refractive index of particles.•The immersion method is useful tool to verify the refractive index of modified particles.•Future research should focus on generate 2-dimensional refractive index maps from the subject.