Particle size significantly affects material properties such as chemical reactivity, bioavailability, dissolution and crystallization rates, stability in suspension, texture of the material, flow ability and handling, packing density and porosity, to name a few. Knowledge of particle size leads to better understanding of products and processes and helps to optimize efficiency of process to reduce costs.
Malvern Instruments
- Zetasizer Nano ZS
- Mastersizer 3000
- Morphologi G3SE
All these instruments have the ability to measure and report particle size distribution of a sample. In addition to particle size, Morphologi, a static microscope-based automated imaging system, provides information on particle shape as well.
Particle size distribution can be represented in different ways with respect to the weighting of individual particles. The weighting mechanism will depend upon the measuring principle/technique being used. The most commonly used are number-weighted, volume-weighted and intensity weighted distributions
Overview of linking particle imaging and laser diffraction. Details include:
- Types of instruments and their measurement and purpose
- Additive manufacturing using three different stainless steel powders
- Biochar in automotive applications
Instrument | Zetasizer Nano ZS | Mastersizer 3000 | Morphologi G3 SE |
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Technique |
Dynamic light scattering |
Laser diffraction |
Automated imaging |
Size distribution by |
Intensity |
Volume |
Number |
Size range (diameter) |
0.3 nm – 10 μm |
10 nm – 3500 μm |
0.5 μm – 1000 μm |
Type of measurement |
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Specifications |
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Sample requirements |
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Application/Materials |
Proteins, biological cells, polymers, micelles, vesicles, carbohydrates, nanoparticles, and gels |
Ceramics, metals, biomaterials, soils and sediments, carbon materials, food products |
Metal and mineral powders, coal, sand, plant material Validation of laser diffraction results
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More information |
Data obtained by the Morphologi automated imaging system.