Particle Size Analyzer

Particle sizing systems are technical instruments used to characterize the size and shape of particles in powder or liquid samples. They play a critical role in evaluating the physical properties of materials and products in R&D and quality control, helping to optimize formulation and product performance.

Principles of particle size measurement

Various principles are used for particle size measurement. Selecting an appropriate method requires an understanding of the characteristics of each principle, including measurement range, measurement time and resolution.
Core particle size measurement principles include:

• Laser diffraction: Measures the scattering pattern produced by particles as they pass through a laser beam. It can measure a wide range of particle sizes, from the nanometer to micrometer range, and enables rapid, highly reproducible measurement, making it well suited for quality control applications and relative comparison of samples in R&D.
• Dynamic image analysis: Captures images of particles flowing through a flow cell and measures particle size and shape parameters through analysis of these images. Particle images and shape parameters provide information that cannot be obtained from particle size alone, such as whether a particle is an individual particle, an aggregate, or foreign matter.
• Dynamic light scattering: Measures Brownian motion of particles in a liquid suspension, calculating particle size based on the speed of that motion. It is suited to measurement in the nanometer range, and can measure submicron particles quickly and with higher resolution than laser diffraction.
• Nanoparticle tracking analysis: Combines laser illumination with digital imaging to track Brownian motion of particles. This method is mainly used for nanoparticles, and because it measures the Brownian motion of individual particles, it offers higher peak resolution than DLS and can also determine particle concentration.
• Sedimentation: Measures the time it takes for particles to settle under centrifugal force.
• Sieve analysis: Separates particles into size fractions by passing them through a series of screens with different mesh sizes.

Technical benefits of the Shimadzu performance

SALD series

Shimadzu particle sizing systems, SALD series, based on the laser diffraction method, deliver high-performance analysis across diverse sample types. It supports a wide particle concentration range from 0.1 ppm to 20%, enabling accurate measurement of both dilute and concentrated samples. 

In addition, it also provides high-speed analysis with one-second updates, while continuous measurement capabilities (up to 200 data points) improve data resolution and increase overall laboratory efficiency.

iSpect DIA-10

The iSpect DIA-10 dynamic particle imaging analysis system combines image analysis capability with highly sensitive particle detection. It can measure and count micrometer scale particles even when present only in trace amounts, enabling quantitative evaluation of particle concentration for effective process and quality control.

Industry-specific applications

Particle size analysis is used in industries where particle size standards are vital for QC:

Pharmaceuticals and biopharmaceuticals

• Evaluation of aggregates in formulations: Aggregates in biopharmaceuticals can not only affect therapeutic efficacy but also potentially cause severe adverse effects due to immune responses. Particle size measurement enables detection and characterization of such aggregates.
• Drug delivery: Technologies for delivering drugs efficiently to target sites (drug delivery systems, DDS) have attracted increasing attention in recent years. Among these, liposomal formulations are a promising DDS, and regulatory authorities in multiple countries have published guidance on liposomes. These guidelines indicate that quality attributes of liposomal products such as particle size distribution should be carefully considered.
• Supports solubility optimization, increased bioavailability, and batch consistency: Even when the same amount of drug is used, differences in particle size can change how strongly the drug works and how quickly it begins to take effect. This is because particle size affects the drug’s specific surface area, which influences how easily it dissolves and where it is absorbed. For this reason, understanding particle size is important for controlling drug performance and where the drug is absorbed site, such as the stomach or intestines.

Electronics, semiconductors and batteries
 

• Electrode material characterization in battery production: Not only the particle size of raw materials, but also the dispersion state of the slurry after material mixing affects a battery’s energy density, safety, and lifespan. Therefore, it is important to characterize the particle size and dispersion state of both the raw material and the slurry.
• To increase capacitor capacity, it is necessary to reduce the distance between electrodes and enlarge the electrode area. This requires ceramic sheets made of materials such as barium titanate to be thinner and multilayered. To achieve this, barium titanate powder must have finer and more uniform particle sizes.

Food, agriculture and beverage

Control of product stability, texture, and performance: The size of particles in food and beverage affects the texture and mouthfeel. In particular, humans are said to perceive a gritty texture when particles are larger than about 20 µm. In addition to size, particle shape is also reported to influence texture.

Metals, Glass, Ceramics and Mining

• The properties and homogeneity of metal powders for use in metal 3D printers affect the quality of the molded products. The more uniform the particle size and the more spherical the particles are, the better the flowability and the denser the packing that can be achieved. On the other hand, the existence of irregularly shaped particles can become a cause of defects, poor mechanical properties, and poor external appearance of molded products.

FAQs

How do particle sizing systems handle high-concentration samples up to 20%?

When measuring high-concentration samples, the particle sizing systems traps the sample between two glass slides and stretches it thin to shorten the optical path length, thereby minimizing the effects of multiple scattering, where light interacts with multiple particles before detection. 

What are the typical measurement ranges for a laser particle size analyzer?

Laser particle size analyzers typically measure particles on the nanometer to millimeter scale. The SALD lineup comprises the SALD-2300 (from 17 nm to 2,500 µm) for general use and the SALD-7500nano (from 7 nm to 800 µm), suited for nanoparticle measurement. Each model offers high-resolution and stable particle distribution measurements specifically within its preferred particle range.

Why can iSpect DIA-10 perform both image analysis and particle number concentration measurement / foreign matter detection?

The answer lies in its microcell and telecentric lens. The microcell enhances imaging efficiency by designing the width and depth of the particle flow path to match the imaging field and focal area. In addition, the telecentric lens enables observation at a constant magnification regardless of the position of the target within the focal area.
As a result, flowing particles can be detected efficiently and measured under uniform conditions, making it possible to perform both particle number concentration measurement and foreign matter detection.

What standards do particle size analyzers comply with?

Laser diffraction particle size analyzers are designed to comply with ISO 13320, the international standard for particle size analysis by laser diffraction.