The Coulter PrincipleFor Ink Toners

Kira ShapiroParticle Characterization Group

508-479-3780kbshapiro@beckman.com

Technique ComparisonLaser

DiffractionCoulter Principle Nanoparticle

AnalysisPore Analysis

Size Range 17 nm– 2 mm 400 nm – 1.7 mm 0.6 nm – 7 um 3 nm -200 nm (pore diameter)

Resolution Medium Very High Low Medium

Sample Volume

Medium Small Small Small

Primary Applicatio

n

Broad Distributions

Concentration and Size

Size and Zeta Potential

Pore Size Distribution

Our Solution

LSTM Series MultisizerTM

SeriesDelsaNanoTM SA3100TM

Coulter Principle• Each particle is measured individually• Results are not affected by particle color, shape,

composition or refractive index.• Based on electrical impedance• Only technology to allow COUNT and SIZE

Coulter PrincipleAperture Size

(μm) Range 20 0.4 – 1230 0.6 – 1850 1.0 – 3070 1.4 – 42

100 2.0 – 60140 2.8 – 64200 4.0 – 120280 5.6 – 128400 8.0 – 240560 11.2 – 336 1000 20 – 6002000 40 - 1200

Dynamic Range: 1:30 in diameter,

1:27,000 in volume

Applications: Ink Toners

5

Toner size affects how well inks bind to paper, how fast they dry, printer handling requirements, etc. The Coulter Principle is the #1 technique for monitoring ink toners.

• Particle size determines ink characteristics

• Reference methods:– ASTM F751-83– ASTM F577-83

• Major Global Application

Size distribution is critical for the manufacturing process

Applications: Ink Toners

Toners have a tendency to agglomerate. The Size Distribution graph does not make possible to detect

when agglomeration takes place during sample analysis.

Applications: Toner Industry

The Pulse Distribution graph makes possible to detect when agglomeration takes place during sample analysis.

Controlling the Quality of Toners

Applications: Toner Industry

• Test Method F751-83 (1997) Standard Test Method for Measuring Particle Size of Wide-Size Range Dry Toners.

• Test Method F577-83 (1997) Standard Test Method for Particle Size Measurement of Dry Toners

ASTM Test Methods