Avoiding the Spherical Particle Assumption: Fractal Particle Density, Size, and Structure Characterization through Combined Sedimentation and Viscometry Measurements

Physically meaningful characterization of irregularly shaped particles continues to present substantial challenges to the experimentalist. "Equivalent diameters"based on experimental techniques such as static and dynamic light scattering or sedimentation have proliferated to the point that they are often no longer recognized as equivalent. This study demonstrates the use of dual-fluid disk centrifuge photosedimentometry coupled with rheological measurements of viscosity to provide direct insights into both the average mass of a structured particle size distribution and the average hydrodynamic diameter.