Mastersizer 3000 by Malvern Panalytical
The Mastersizer 3000 by Malvern Panalytical is a laser diffraction-based particle size analyzer designed to measure particle size distributions in the range of 10 nanometers to 3.5 millimeters. It operates on the principle of Mie scattering theory (for spherical particles) and Fraunhofer approximation (for larger or opaque particles), analyzing how light is scattered by a dispersed particulate sample.
Samples—either dry or suspended in a liquid—are introduced into a dispersing unit that ensures individual particle separation. A laser beam is then passed through the sample, and detectors placed at multiple angles capture the resulting scattering pattern. The intensity and angle of this scattered light are related to particle size: larger particles scatter light at smaller angles, while smaller particles scatter at wider angles.
The system uses an inverse mathematical model to convert the scattering data into a particle size distribution, reported typically as volume-based or number-based metrics (e.g., D10, D50, D90). The instrument supports automated alignment, dispersion control, and SOP-driven workflows, offering high reproducibility and throughput for R&D and quality control applications.
The Mastersizer 3000 measures all particles in the sample that interact with the laser beam and fall within the instrument's detectable size range (10 nm – 3.5 mm). It does not distinguish between different types of particles based on composition - only by size. If the sample contains a mix of different materials (e.g., silica, calcium carbonate, polymers), the Mastersizer treats them all equally, as long as they:
- Are dispersed individually (not clumped together)
- Fall within the instrument’s size range
- Scatter light effectively
The result is a combined particle size distribution, reflecting the overall mix of particles present. In oreder to know what kind of particles are what size, Mastersizer data have to combined with another technique, like SEM-EDS or XRD, to analyze composition.