Hydrodynamic diameter and zeta potential of nanostructured lipid carriers: Emphasizing some parameters for correct measurements

• Published in: Colloids and surfaces. A, Physicochemical and engineering aspects Physicochemical and engineering aspects, 2021-07, Vol.620, p.126610, Article 126610
• Main Authors: Gordillo-Galeano, Aldemar, Mora-Huertas, Claudia Elizabeth
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Electric double-layer overlapping; Ionogenic particles; Nanostructured lipid carriers; Soft colloidal particles
• ISSN: 0927-7757; 1873-4359
• DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2021.126610

Particle size and zeta potential are basic information about nanoparticles intended for biomedical applications and other of scientific interest. Modern techniques for measuring these properties have become popular due to their simplicity and ease of use, but unfortunately, this has led to an inadequate understanding of the fundamental operational principles and physical meaning of the measured parameters. Consequently, the quality and interpretation of the reported data and the possibility to make comparisons between different studies are being questioned. As a contribution to this respect, this study stresses the importance of suitable experimental conditions to estimate the hydrodynamic diameter and the surface charge of lipid nanoparticles, specifically in nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) stabilized by nonionic surfactants, by using dynamic light scattering and laser Doppler electrophoresis, respectively, to provide reliable information. [Display omitted] •Agglomeration is produced at a high NLC concentration.•High surfactant concentrations increase the hydrodynamic radius.•Electric double-layer overlapping is produced at a high NLC concentration.•Electric double-layer compression is produced at a high electrolyte concentration.•Overlapping and compression cause a decrease in the zeta potential value.