Nanoparticle size is one of the key parameters that are relevant to characterize in nanoparticle suspensions. Here we list six different methods that you can use to characterize the nanoparticle size.
Different measurement techniques will measure the nanoparticle size in different ways. Some techniques measure the physical size of the nanoparticle, i.e. the hard material interface, while others measure the hydrodynamic size, i.e. they target the water layer attached to the nanoparticle as it moves in solution. The measurement result, i.e. the resulting size, will, therefore, depend on which type of interface that is being probed.
The shape of the nanoparticle also plays a role in the size measurement. For example, some characterization tools approximate all objects to spheres and will, therefore, assign an effective diameter to non-spherical nanoparticles.
Nanoparticle suspensions are complex systems and several parameters must be characterized to get a good understanding of their state and behavior. In addition to the nanoparticle size, the size distribution is also relevant. The size distribution may reveal for example that there are aggregates present in the solution, which in turn may indicate poor dispersion of the nanoparticles.
There are a range of analytical techniques that you can use to extract information about the nanoparticle size. Below we list six methods that provide information either on the ensemble level (E) or at the single nanoparticle level (SP):
In addition to size, there are several other parameters that are important to characterize, such as concentration in solution, shape, surface charge and chemical composition.
Download the overview to learn more about the characterization of nanoparticle suspensions, and what characterization methods that can be used.
Malin graduated in engineering physics in 2006, where her research focused on the QCM-D technology. Since then, she has been scrutinizing the how’s and why’s of the world in general, and the world of QCM-D in particular.
