Particle and Surface measurements
There are a range of particle and surface measurement techniques. The most widely accepted are as follows:
- Laser diffraction has become the preferred particle sizing method in many industries. It’s an absolute method which does not require calibration but performance can be validated. Laser diffraction has a wide dynamic range, 0.2 to 2000 microns and gives a volume distribution which is the most useful distribution for chemical engineers. Dry powders, aerosols, liquid suspensions and emulsions can all be measured, often producing a result in less than a minute.
- Dynamic light scattering (DLS) is a sensitive technique for measuring the size of molecules and particles in the submicron region. Results are expressed as particle hydrodynamic diameter.
- Image analysis. Microscope optics and a CCD camera magnify and capture the image of particles which are counted and their size and shape measured. Systems are capable of high resolution sizing from 0.5µm - 1000µm.
- Tensiometers enable the precise characterisation of contact angles and surface tensions providing valuable information on the interactions at a solid-liquid or liquid-liquid interface.
- Surface tension can be measured with optical, force and bubble tensiometers. A liquid-liquid phase boundary is referred to as interfacial tension and can be measured with force and optical tensiometers.
- Contact angle interaction between a liquid and solid can be attractive or repulsive and can be measured by optical tensiometers.
- Surface free energy is surface tension for solids and can be measured via contact angle measurements with a range of liquids.
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