Nepheloturbidometry is an instrumental technique used to quantitatively analyze substances in solution by measuring their light-scattering properties.
Principle:
When a light beam passes through a sample containing suspended particles (larger than the wavelength of light), the particles scatter light in all directions.
Nephelometry: Measures light scattered at an angle (typically 90°) to the incident beam.
Turbidimetry: Measures the decrease in transmitted light intensity due to scattering and absorption.
The intensity of scattered light is directly proportional to the concentration of suspended particles in the sample.
Procedure:
A light source emits a beam through the sample.
Suspended particles in the sample scatter the light.
A detector, placed at an angle (commonly 90°) to the incident light, measures the scattered light intensity.
The measured intensity is compared with standard solutions of known concentrations to determine the concentration of particles in the sample.
Applications:
Quantifying macromolecules such as proteins in solution.
Measuring turbidity in water samples for quality analysis.
Nepheloturbidometry is valuable for applications requiring precise quantification of suspended particles in various solutions.