The size distribution, microstructure, and chemical composition of particulate matter samples from coal-fired power plants in China were measured using a laser particle analyzer, a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and an inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometer (ICP-AES). The size distribution showed differences between the electrostatic precipitator capture efficiencies for coarse and fine particles. The microstructure measurements showed three typical particulate microstructures, spherical particles, plerospheres, and irregular particles. The surfaces of most spherical particles had microspheres that were often agglomerated together. The chemical composition of the particulate matter changed as the size decreased, while had differences from different feed coal. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.