Release Of The SALD-2300 Laser Diffraction Particle Size Analyzer, Capable Of Measuring The Particle Size Distributions Of Pharmaceuticals, Cosmetics, Foods, Battery Materials, And Other Samples At A Wide Range Of Particle Concentrations
Shimadzu introduces the SALD-2300 Laser Diffraction Particle Size Analyzer, which measures the size and distribution of particles. The particle size distribution of raw powdered materials is known to have a significant effect on the performance and function of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, foods, rechargeable batteries, and other finished products, and is an important quality control element.
As measurement needs are expanding in a variety of fields and domains, Shimadzu has extended the measurement range from 30 nm to 1,000 µm to 17 nm to 2,500 µm, and developed an instrument that can easily perform highly efficient, sophisticated measurements.
Furthermore, by increasing the sensitivity by a factor of ten over our conventional models, this system accommodates a wide range of particle concentration conditions, from a low concentration 0.1 ppm to high concentrations of 200,000 ppm. In addition, it is equipped with a continuous measurement function that provides measurements in intervals as short as one second. As a result, the real-time state of particle size distributions that change with concentration or time can now be measured accurately.
A particle size distribution shows the size of the particles in a measurement sample and the proportion at which they are included. In the laser diffraction method, a group of particles is exposed to laser light, and the intensity distribution pattern of the resulting diffracted and scattered light is then detected and analyzed to find the size of the particles and the proportion at which they are included.
Particles are utilized in industry and everyday life as the raw materials for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, foods, inks, electrodes in rechargeable batteries, catalysts, ceramics, and so on. The size of particles in raw materials has a significant impact on product quality, so the accurate measurement of particle size distributions becomes very important in quality control and product development.
For example, trace quantities of particulate ingredients in red wines, distilled spirits, teas and other beverages have an impact on peoples' refined sensations, and broadly speaking, on "taste" and "flavor." As a result, the hue, texture, smoothness when swallowing, and crispness of beverages are subtly changed by the size and size distribution of trace particles. Yet because the quantity of particulate ingredients is so small, evaluation and quality control with respect to the flavor of beverages could only rely on the sensations, experience, and perception of trained workers. The SALD-2300 has ten times the sensitivity of conventional systems, and so is capable of measurements at a low concentration of 0.1 ppm, enabling these types of evaluations to be performed objectively and quantitatively. Further, it can contribute to resolving the issues of individual differences and the succession of know-how.
In addition, since particle size distribution changes when the sample is diluted or concentrated, it is important to measure under actual use conditions, without diluting or concentrating the sample.
With conventional particle size analyzers, the measurable concentration range is limited (10 ppm to 100 ppm), so samples are diluted or concentrated to suit the instrument, which means that the actual particle size distributions of products and raw materials could not be measured. With the SALD-2300, however, measurements can be performed on a wide range of sample concentrations as is, from low concentrations of 0.1 ppm to high concentrations of 200,000 ppm.
With this system, samples at a variety of concentrations can be measured without diluting or concentrating them, and continuous measurements can be performed in intervals as short as one second. Consequently, it is able to accurately measure the real-time state of particle size distributions that change with particle concentration and time.
Features of the New Instrument
- Measurement particle size range of 17 nm to 2,500 µm
By adopting a new sensor and strengthening sampler functionality, the measurement particle size range has been expanded from 30 nm to 1,000 µm to 17 nm to 2,500 µm. As a result, a single instrument can measure everything from polystyrene latex particles, with an average particle size of 50 nm, to stainless steel balls, with a particle size of 2 mm, thereby significantly expanding its practical applications. - Accommodates a wide range of particle
concentrations, from 0.1 ppm to 200,000 ppm
By increasing the sensitivity of the scattered light detection system and by using options, it is now possible to measure samples ranging from low concentrations of 0.1 ppm to high concentrations of up to 200,000 ppm. With conventional laser diffraction particle size measurements, the target range was 10 ppm to 100 ppm. By expanding this range significantly however, it is now possible to accommodate completely new measurement targets and objectives. For example, it is possible to observe the dissolution of pharmaceuticals with respect to changes in particle size distribution, right up to just before all the particles have dissolved. - Observation of particle size distributions in real time through continuous measurement functionality with an interval as short as one second
With conventional laser diffraction particle size measurements, a measurement interval of 10 seconds to 30 seconds is required, which means that measurements were performed with the assumption that particle size distributions do not change. However, to evaluate basic processes in chemistry such as dispersion, agglomeration, and dissolution, it is extremely important to measure temporal changes in particle size distributions. By enabling high-speed continuous measurement in intervals as short as one second, the SALD-2300 continuously measures changes in particle size distribution in real time.
SOURCE: Shimadzu