Abstract

Analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC) is a classical polymer and colloid analysis technique invented by Theodor Svedberg 100 years ago. Modern hard- and software and powerful computers make it now possible to develop the methodology beyond what was possible with this technique before. This perspective aims to describe new possibilities, which extend the possibilities of AUC beyond the classical repertoire of the determination of distributions of sedimentation coefficient, particle size, and molar mass as well as stoichiometries and interaction constants of interacting systems. High-resolution simultaneous characterization of particle size and optical property distributions, investigation of nucleation by reaction in the AUC cell, characterization of particle interactions at a very high concentration, and characterization of complex fluids or osmotic pressures over large concentration ranges even crossing phase boundaries are among the discussed topics. They show that even after 100 years of successful application, AUC still has much yet unexplored potential in colloid and polymer science.

Graphical Abstract

This perspective paper spans from the days of invention of analytical ultracentrifugation to now including nonmainstream methodology and instrumentation, which has a huge potential for the future. This includes multiwavelength detectors, high-resolution particle size distributions, chemical reactions in the ultracentrifuge, high-concentration work, osmotic pressure distributions, and characterization of complex fluids.

中文翻译：

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胶体和聚合物科学中的分析超速离心：100 年后的新可能性和前景

摘要

分析超速离心 (AUC) 是 Theodor Svedberg 于 100 年前发明的一种经典聚合物和胶体分析技术。现代硬件和软件以及功能强大的计算机使得现在可以开发出超越以前该技术所能实现的方法。这一观点旨在描述新的可能性，将 AUC 的可能性扩展到确定沉降系数、粒径和摩尔质量分布以及相互作用系统的化学计量和相互作用常数的经典范围之外。高分辨率同时表征颗粒尺寸和光学特性分布，研究 AUC 池中反应的成核作用，表征极高浓度下的颗粒相互作用，讨论的主题包括大浓度范围内甚至跨相边界的复杂流体或渗透压的表征。他们表明，即使经过 100 年的成功应用，AUC 在胶体和聚合物科学领域仍然具有许多尚未开发的潜力。

图形概要

这篇展望论文涵盖了从分析超速离心发明至今，包括非主流方法和仪器，其未来潜力巨大。这包括多波长检测器、高分辨率粒度分布、超速离心机中的化学反应、高浓度工作、渗透压分布和复杂流体的表征。