I have read a number of research articles in which authors have used the word particular matter instead of particulate matter. Many times it creates confusions, is it correct to use it?
I completely agree with you. In fact it is confusing too. From English language point of view it may be correct as Particular may mean 'related with particles' or 'composed of particles' or 'associated with particles', but scientifically, particulate sounds better, if I am not wrong, the word particular is not used by EPA. Thanks for your view.