Theses and Dissertations

ORCID

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0942-3109

Advisor

Zhang, Dongmao

Committee Member

Mlsna, Todd

Committee Member

Emerson, Joseph

Date of Degree

8-13-2024

Original embargo terms

Immediate Worldwide Access

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Open Access

Major

Chemistry

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Department of Chemistry

Abstract

Complex samples containing nanoscale or larger materials exhibit light scattering, a universal property of matter. However, the influence of scattering-induced cascading optical processes on quantifying sample scattering intensity and depolarization has not been thoroughly evaluated. This study uses polystyrene nanoparticles (PSNPs) as a model analyte for systematic experimental and computational investigation. It aims to elucidate the effects of cascading optical processes on scattering cross-section, molar coefficients, depolarization, and intensities. A theoretical model is introduced to show how the Beer-Lambert law is complicated by forward-scattered light interference in UV-Vis measurements. The dependence of scattering intensity on concentration and particle size is complex due to light scattering depolarization and inner filter effects (IFEs). Scattering depolarization increases with PSNP scattering extinction but levels off before unity, influenced by light polarization. Insights from this work enhance understanding of material characterization and nanoparticle quantification and clarify light scattering effects on absorption and fluorescence measurements.

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