Abstract
In this work, a sub-micron quartz powder produced by high energy grinding was used to explore the information contained in the particle size distribution (PSD) curves obtained by electro-acoustic spectroscopy (EAS) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Results show that although the customarily volume-based PSD curve and its median value (d 50 = 135 nm) are more amenable to differences in measurement phenomena and sample preparation methods, the area and number-based representations are more sensitive to the presence of finer particles (35 and 65 nm, respectively for the number and area-based curves obtained by EAS). These values were supported by the crystallite size calculated from X-ray diffraction (d = 44 nm) and the equivalent spherical diameter calculated from specific surface area measurements (d = 43 nm). Thus, a reliable description of the particle size of a powder requires the use of complementary techniques, suggested by the envisioned application or the particular stringency of a given processing step. • The particle size range of interest must guide the choice of base in the PSD curve. • The volume-based median particle size tolerates changes in measurement methods. • The DLS method is vulnerable to agglomeration in polydisperse size distributions. • Despite high solids concentration EAS promotes dispersion even for very fine sizes. • X-ray diffraction data strongly agrees with BET surface area-based particle size.
Published Version
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