Unveiling precision and limitations in submicron particle size analysis methods: EM, LD, and DLS

IF 4.6 2区工程技术 Q2 ENGINEERING, CHEMICAL

Powder Technology Pub Date : 2025-10-09 DOI:10.1016/j.powtec.2025.121694

Haruhisa Kato, Ayako Nakamura, Shinichi Kinugasa

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Abstract

Accurate characterization of submicron particles in the range of 100 to 1000 nm is essential in industrial, biomedical, and environmental applications because particle size strongly affects physicochemical behavior and biological responses. This study systematically evaluated three widely used sizing techniques, electron microscopy (EM), laser diffraction (LD), and dynamic light scattering (DLS), using well characterized monomodal and bimodal polystyrene latex (PSL) reference materials. Reference values were established and an interlaboratory comparison assessed trueness and precision, where trueness reflects closeness to reference values and precision indicates variability among analysts. For monomodal PSLs, all techniques provided highly accurate and precise diameters. Mixed PSL samples exhibited greater variability, particularly in LD, while EM and DLS at backscattering angles yielded values closer to the reference. These results highlight that method selection and instrument configuration significantly influence submicron particle sizing and emphasize the importance of carefully considering measurement conditions for reliable characterization.

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揭示亚微米粒度分析方法的精度和局限性：EM， LD和DLS

准确表征100至1000纳米范围内的亚微米颗粒在工业，生物医学和环境应用中是必不可少的，因为颗粒大小强烈影响物理化学行为和生物反应。本研究系统地评估了三种广泛使用的上浆技术，电子显微镜（EM），激光衍射（LD）和动态光散射（DLS），使用表征良好的单峰和双峰聚苯乙烯乳胶（PSL）标准材料。建立了参考值，实验室间比较评估了真实性和准确性，其中真实性反映了与参考值的接近程度，准确性表明了分析人员之间的差异。对于单模态psl，所有技术都提供了高度准确和精确的直径。混合PSL样品表现出更大的变异性，特别是在LD中，而EM和DLS在后向散射角度下的值更接近参考值。这些结果突出了方法选择和仪器配置显著影响亚微米粒度，并强调了仔细考虑可靠表征的测量条件的重要性。

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来源期刊

Powder Technology 工程技术-工程：化工

CiteScore

9.90

自引率

15.40%

发文量

1047

审稿时长

46 days

期刊介绍： Powder Technology is an International Journal on the Science and Technology of Wet and Dry Particulate Systems. Powder Technology publishes papers on all aspects of the formation of particles and their characterisation and on the study of systems containing particulate solids. No limitation is imposed on the size of the particles, which may range from nanometre scale, as in pigments or aerosols, to that of mined or quarried materials. The following list of topics is not intended to be comprehensive, but rather to indicate typical subjects which fall within the scope of the journal's interests: Formation and synthesis of particles by precipitation and other methods. Modification of particles by agglomeration, coating, comminution and attrition. Characterisation of the size, shape, surface area, pore structure and strength of particles and agglomerates (including the origins and effects of inter particle forces). Packing, failure, flow and permeability of assemblies of particles. Particle-particle interactions and suspension rheology. Handling and processing operations such as slurry flow, fluidization, pneumatic conveying. Interactions between particles and their environment, including delivery of particulate products to the body. Applications of particle technology in production of pharmaceuticals, chemicals, foods, pigments, structural, and functional materials and in environmental and energy related matters. For materials-oriented contributions we are looking for articles revealing the effect of particle/powder characteristics (size, morphology and composition, in that order) on material performance or functionality and, ideally, comparison to any industrial standard.