The electrostatic environment of aqueous systems is an essential ingredient for the function of living systems, but also the operation of devices. To understand the electrostatic properties and its molecular foundation in three dimensional nano to micron sized systems, we developed a table-top model-free method to determine the surface potential of nano- and microscopic objects in aqueous solutions. Angle resolved non-resonant second harmonic (SH) scattering measurements contain enough information to determine the surface potential unambiguously, without making assumptions on the structure of the interfacial region. The scattered SH light, emitted from the particle interface and the diffuse double layer appears in two independent scattering patterns that have different polarization states. The angular shape and intensity are determined by the surface potential and the second-order surface susceptibility. Calibrating the response with the SH intensity of bulk water, a single, unique surface potential value can be extracted.

Optical label- and model-free probe of the surface potential of nano and microscopic objects in aqueous solution

255th National Meeting (2018)

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