The intensity-weighted average particle size and intensity-weighted particle size distribution (PSD) can be obtained by the dynamic light scattering. To get the number-weighted PSD or volume-weighted PSD from the intensity-weighted PSD, the intensity scattered by particles of different size must be taken into account. The light intensity scattered by particles of different size is calculated using Mie scattering theory. Then, the number-weighted PSD can be calculated from the intensity-weighted PSD by dividing by the scattering intensity of the particle with the corresponding size. To demonstrate this the intensity-weighted PSD of the mixed polystyrene latex particles is obtained by dynamic light scattering, and the intensity-weighted PSD is converted to number-weighted and volume-weight PSDs using this method. Scanning electron microscopy is used to get the true number-weighted PSD to compare with our results. Comparison of the two number-weighted PSDs shows that accurate number-weighted PSD can be obtained by using approach outlined.
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The Conversion of Particle Size Distributions based on Mie Theory. Chinese Journal of Light Scattering. 2018, 30(1): 6-9 https://doi.org/10.13883/j.issn1004-5929.201801002