Application note

TURBISCAN

Data interpretation for

Turbiscan analysis
INTRODUCTION
Application

This document aims to help you interpret the Turbiscan data profiles, which may
seem a bit complicated to start with. It details the different steps, which make the
interpretation easier and more efficient.

All domains

DATA INTERPRETATION
Objective
Give the main steps for Turbiscan
data interpretation

Device
TURBISCAN LAB and
TURBISCAN Classic

1.

Check the quality of the meniscus

The quality of the meniscus is crucial for a good data interpretation in order to make
sure that a movement in the meniscus is not interpreted as a change in the sample.
To get a good quality meniscus, read the document Sample preparation for
Turbiscan analysis.
To check the quality of the meniscus:

Display the Transmission profiles.

Check that all the curves are overlaid at the top of the sample (right part of
the graph).
o If the meniscus does not move (Figure 1) calculations can be
performed.
o If the meniscus moves over time (Figure 2) a peak at the top can
be interpreted as a phase, therefore it is not recommended to
compute parameters in this area.

Bad meniscus
Good meniscus

Figure 1. Good quality meniscus.

Figure 2. Bad quality meniscus.

The reasons for a bad quality meniscus and the way to avoid them are given below
(Table 1).
Transmission profile
changes

Why?

How to avoid it?

Curves shift to the left

Low viscosity sample

Air bubbles
breaking

During sampling make sure no air

bubbles remain at the meniscus

Curves shift to the left

High viscosity sample

Meniscus flattening

Centrifuge the sample for few

minutes (max 5 min) at low speed
(max 1000 rpm) depending on the
viscosity

Curves shift to the right

Sample has been

shaken

Move the cells with as little

movements as possible

Table 1.Reasons for a bad quality meniscus.

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Application note

TURBISCAN

2. Put the profiles in reference

In order to see the variations of the profiles more easily it is recommended to put the
profiles in reference. This means that a given profile (the first one by default) is
subtracted to all other profiles.
In no reference the variations can be difficult to observe (Figure 3). By subtracting
the reference profile to the others, variations are emphasized (Figure 4).

Particle size increase

Clarification

Figure 3. Profile in no reference mode.

Figure 4. Profile in reference mode.

In some cases, it may be better to change the reference profile, for example if the
meniscus moves during the first couple of scans or if the first scans have been
performed although the sample was not equilibrated in temperature. In the example
below, the third scan (after 1:21:34) was used as a reference (Figure 6).

Figure 5. Transmission (top) and

backscattering (bottom profiles with shift
of the meniscus)
.

Figure 6. Change in reference profile

It is important to bare in mind that in the case of a signal in transmission, there is

also a signal in backscattering in the same zone. This is due to secondary reflections
of the light on the glass cell. Therefore, in this zone one should only work on the
transmission signal, not on the backscattering one.
3.

Divide the graph in relevant parts and identify the instability phenomena

The main instabilities observed with colloidal systems are of two types:
Particle migration, i.e. local variations (at the top and bottom of the sample) of the
concentration of particles in the sample, hence local variations of the transmission or
backscattering level measured.
Particle size increase, i.e. global variations (in the total height of the product) of the
particle size in the sample, hence global variations of the transmission or
backscattering level measured.
From these observations, we can deduce that, when analyzing Turbiscan profiles,
we can cut the graph in three parts: bottom, middle and top. Variations in the bottom
and top of the sample are linked to migration phenomena. Variations in the middle
are due to particle size variations.

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TURBISCAN

Therefore, we can summarize the data interpretation in most cases (Table 2). It is
possible to have a combination of several instabilities simultaneously.
Delta BS

Bottom

Middle

Top

Instability phenomena

Case 1

Sedimentation

Case 2

Creaming

Case 3

Flocculation or
coalescence

Table 2. Variation of backscattering and Instability phenomena.

For more details on the variation of backscattering and transmission read documents
Stability analysis with Turbiscan (general cases) and Stability analysis with
Turbiscan (special cases).
4.

Compute the right parameter(s)

Depending on the instability phenomena taking place, different parameters can be

computed. These are summarised Table 3.
Instability
phenomena
Sedimentation

Kinetics

- Clarification kinetics (phase

thickness of right peak)
- Sedimentation kinetics (phase
thickness of left peak)
- Mean value (delta BS or delta
T) at the top and bottom
Creaming
- Clarification kinetics (phase
thickness of left peak)
- Creaming kinetics (phase
thickness of right peak)
- Mean value (delta BS or delta
T) at the top and bottom
Particle
size - Mean value kinetics in the
increase
middle
- Variation of l* in the middle
- Variation of the mean diameter
in the middle (for non-absorbing,
white product)
Ripening of a - Mean value kinetics in the
foam
middle
- Variation of l* in the middle
- Variation of the mean diameter
in the middle (for non-absorbing,
white product)
Phase thickness of the
syneresis phase (transmission
peak at the right)
Table 3. Parameters to compute.

Characteristic parameters
- Migration velocity (slope of
clarification kinetics)
- Hydrodynamic diameter

- Migration velocity (slope of

clarification kinetics)
- Hydrodynamic diameter

- % particle size increase

(slope of the mean value
kinetics)

- % particle size increase

(slope of the mean value
kinetics)

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Application note

TURBISCAN

SUMMARY OF DATA INTERPRETATION

Check the quality of the meniscus on the transmission profile
Put the graph in Reference

Variation of the profiles

All profiles overlaid

Product unstable

Product stable

Look at the three parts of the graph: bottom-middle-top

Bottom
If BS at the bottom

If BS at the bottom

If BS at the top

If BS at the top

Sedimentation

Sedimentation
+ creaming

If BS at the top If BS at the top

Creaming

Emulsion ?

Suspension ?

Creaming
Sedimentation
(Small particles + concentrated) (Small particles + concentrated)
(Dark cream layer)
(Packed sediment)
(Dark sediment)

Middle
If BS in the middle
Particle size increase
(d<0.6m)

If BS = in the middle
See Bottom and Top

If BS in the middle
Particle size increase
(d>0.6m)

NB: Observation of the top part of the sample (right part of the graph) is
included in the interpretation of the bottom part.

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