Langmuir-Blodgett Troughs and Surface Tensiometers

Further information

Microtrough G2

The Microtrough G2 is a medium sized, modern Langmuir trough. The current trend in Langmuir research is to combine the technique with other methods. Whether it is deposition on samples, spectroscopic, scattering or imaging techniques, the open architecture of the instrument provides easy access to the subphase surface. The barrier drive motor has been placed below the baseplate, the trough level has been raised with respect to other structures so that laser and x-ray measurements can be done at gracing incidence. The baseplate is built of robust 12.5 mm thick aluminium. It has a standard optical breadboard hole along the edges (25 mm x 25 mm M6) for easy accommodation of auxiliary equipment – from Kibron or other manufacturers.

The water circulation channels for temperature control have been built into the baseplate. This facilitates removing, washing, and exchanging the troughs, without the need to disconnect circulation tubing. The thick metal layer between the subphase and temperature channels reduces temperature gradients in the trough – this is a point which is rarely realized in designs were the temperature control channels are directly located below the PTFE bottom of the trough.

Tensiometers

The Kibron Aqua Pi/Plus (& Ez-Pi plus) range offers users a family of compact, high-performance force based surface / Interfacial tensiometers for lab or field use in almost every industry from waste water monitoring to foods & oils & Chrome plating baths to inks & coatings.

AquaPi: The Kibron AquaPi is a compact tensiometer focused on solely surface tension measurements. The AquaPI is battery operated – you can measure surface tension easily and rapidly, practically anywhere: in the field and in the laboratory, in the classroom, in oil refineries, dairies, water purification plants, chrome plating plants, in vegetable safety assessment, to mention just a few examples. AquaPi – accurate and fast surface tension measurements.

AquaPi+: The Kibron AquaPi Plus is a compact, computer controlled tensiometer focused on surface tension measurements. The AquaPi Plus can powered through the USB port of a computer or tablet – you can measure surface tension easily and rapidly, practically anywhere: in the field and in the laboratory, in the classroom, in oil refineries, dairies, water purification plants, chrome plating plants, in vegetable safety assessment, to mention just a few examples. AquaPi Plus- accurate and fast surface tension measurements

Delta-8: The Delta-8 is the only surface tension plate reader in the market. It can determine the CMC (critical micelle concentration) of a surfactant up to one hundred times faster than with conventional tensiometers.

Surface tension is measured by our proprietary DyneProbe which is ultracompact and requires no correction factors, as usually found with rings and plates. DyneProbes works also with cationic surface-active agents.

The Delta-8 uses standard size detection plates and conventional dispensing systems. Each well can be charged with individual samples or in the case of CMC determinations with aliquots of solution of different concentration.

Before every run, the DyneProbes are heated using the Kibron DyneClean furnace. The bottom end of each probe is brought into contact onto a (very) hot surface. Upon contact, the tip of the probe is heated to around 600 °C. This ensures consistent and repeatably clean surfaces. Alternatively, or as a complimentary method the probes can be dipped in a washing cassette containing the appropriate cleaning solutions.

Up to 96 data points can be acquired in around 3 minutes.

Applications