Biolin Scientific KSV Nima Surface Potential Sensor

Biolin Scientific KSV NIMA Surface Potential Sensor is an advanced instrument used to determine molecular orientation changes in Langmuir films, which can be used for various applications such as characterizing electronic film structure, monitoring complex formation, and characterizing molecular structure. Together with the surface pressure sensor included in all Biolin Scientific KSV NIMA Langmuir and Langmuir-Blodgett Troughs, it gives an in-depth view of the Langmuir monolayer interactions.

The SPOT provides information about molecular orientation by observing changes in surface potential and combining the data with surface pressure information. The changes in surface potential are measured by detecting the potential difference between the vibrating plate placed above the monolayer and the counter electrode immersed in the sub-phase below the monolayer. The sensor measures the possible difference above and below the film and is sensitive to the sum of all the individual dipole moments.

The SPOT allows complementing data from surface pressure–area isotherm measurements obtained from a Langmuir and Langmuir-Blodgett Trough. This enables the determination of monolayer composition, molecular orientation, degree of molecular dissociation, and molecular interactions at the interface. The sensor can determine compelling dipole moments through simple compressed film surface potential measurements. Small changes in the electronic structure of molecules can be detected by measuring the change in surface potential.

The non-contact and non-destructive vibrating plate capacitor method ensures excellent accuracy and reproducibility. The instrument is factory calibrated for a quick start-up and connects directly to the interface unit used with Biolin Scientific KSV NIMA L&LB troughs. It is easily installed with a simple plug-and-play operation. The sensor’s flexible stand allows rapid and easy integration with a trough.

Furthermore, the SPOT is operated with Biolin Scientific KSV NIMA LB Software and requires no additional software. Both the surface pressure and surface potential are automatically plotted in the same graph for simple comparison. This leads to doubling the amount of data, all in one software.

The input range for the SPOT is -5V to +5V, with a sensitivity of +/- 1mV and a height dependency of 10mV/mm. The response time is proportional to distance but less than 1s when positioned 1 mm above the monolayer. The measuring head dimension is 100x85x20mm, and the probe diameter is 16mm. The stand base height is 19mm, and the maximum sensor height is 160mm. The counter-electrode plate dimensions are 35x50x2mm, and the vertical electrode arm length is 20mm.

Overall, the KSV NIMA Surface Potential Sensor is a powerful tool for analyzing Langmuir monolayer interactions and determining various molecular properties. Its accurate and reproducible measurements, easy setup, and complementary data from surface pressure measurements make it an essential instrument for researchers in multiple fields such as material science, biophysics, and surface chemistry.