Micro/Nano Particle Characterisation Facility

Contact: Dr Alison White
X-ray Material Science & Spectrometry Lab Manager

The Micro/Nano Particle Characterisation Facility (MNPCF) is located on Level 2 of the Chemistry Building (68). The MNPCF is home to state-of-the-art instruments for particle characterisation, including laser diffraction with dynamic imaging, and static imaging, for size and shape analysis of both wet and dry particulate samples. We are also home to a nano-flow cytometer for measuring size distribution, particle concentration and biochemical properties of single nanoparticles. A powder dispersion unit is also available for sample preparation for optical/electron imaging of powder samples.

In addition to the equipment housed in the MNPCF we are pleased to provide access to a range of other particle characterisation instrumentation across UQ via our Partner network.

Our aim is to develop a characterisation pipeline that will enable users to fully characterise all physicochemical properties of their samples. By using a combination of the complementary particle characterisation techniques on offer, users can generate a representative, and reliable overview of their samples.


Instrument List

MJet dispersion unitMicrotrac Sync, equipped with FlowSync wet module and TurboSync dry module
Kruss Droplet Shape AnalysisOlympus DSX1000 – Digital Optical Microscope
NanoFCM NanoAnalyzer 

Complementary Instruments within CMM

High resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX)

Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) with EDX and Electron Energy Loss Spectrometry (EELS)

Small Angle X-ray (SAXS)Mass Spectrometry
Mass PhotometryLight and fluorescence microscopy
X-ray diffractionX-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
Cryo-electron microscopyConfocal laser scanning microscopy
Micro computerised tomography 

Partner Instrument List
St Lucia Campus

Malvern Mastersizer 3000Malvern Zetasizer Ultra
Perkin Elmer Spectrum 2 FT-IR-Spectrometer with Spotlight 200i FT-IR Microscope 

The Pharmacy Australia Centre of Excellence (PACE)

Nanosight