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‘Characterization of Nanoparticles - measurement processes for nanoparticles’, edited by project partners

The project

Completed EMPIR project ‘Metrology for innovative nanoparticles’ (14IND12, Innanopart) aimed to enhance accurate measurements for nanoparticles, which is of growing importance in developed economies. This is driven by performance improvements, where control of dispersity in shape, size and chemical structure is critical and also by regulatory requirements. This EMPIR project established, for the first time, accurate methods for measuring nanoparticle concentration and surface chemistry which are required in emerging applications, such as nanomedicine, but also to inform toxicological studies and legislation.

This work resulted in a BIPM CCQM (Consultative Committee for Amount of Substance) key comparison in nanoparticle concentration, a new certified reference material for that property and two large VAMAS interlaboratory studies.

The book

The project has culminated in a recently published textbook, 'Characterization of Nanoparticles', co-edited by Vasile-Dan Hodoroaba and Wolfgang Unger from BAM and Alex Shard from NPL. It comprehensively describes all commonly-used methods for nanoparticle measurement, with 62 contributors of which around half were involved in the EMPIR project. There is a strong focus on standardised methods to improve reporting and reproducibility in the field of nanotechnology. The book is aimed at materials scientists, chemists and chemical engineers who would like to learn more about nano-characterisation for materials selection at the nanoparticle level.

Project Coordinator Alex Shard from NPL said: ‘This book comprehensively describes all of the commonly used laboratory methods for measuring nanoparticles, providing up-to-date guidance on the best protocols to use based on appropriate standards and recent research. The Innanopart project has enabled us to address some critical standardisation needs and these are being progressed in an EMPIR Support for Impact Project (SIP)  ‘An ISO Technical Report on the use of electron spectroscopy for measurement of core-shell nanoparticle shell thicknesses’ (17SIP03, ESCoShell) for measuring particle coatings and a follow-on SIP ‘An ISO Technical Report on nanoparticle concentration’ (18SIP01, ISOCONCur), for particle concentration.’

This EMPIR project is co-funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and the EMPIR Participating States.

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