A General Perspective of the Characterization and Quantification of Nanoparticles: Imaging, Spectroscopic, and Separation Techniques

• Published in: Critical reviews in solid state and materials sciences Vol. 39; no. 6; pp. 423 - 458
• Main Authors: Lapresta-Fernández, A., Salinas-Castillo, A., Anderson de la Llana, S., Costa-Fernández, J. M., Domínguez-Meister, S., Cecchini, R., Capitán-Vallvey, L. F., Moreno-Bondi, M. C., Marco, M.-Pilar, Sánchez-López, J. C., Anderson, I. S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Colchester Taylor & Francis 02.11.2014; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: characterization techniques; Chemical composition; Chemical properties; Classification; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Exact sciences and technology; imaging; Materials science; Microscopy; Morphology; Nanoparticles; Nanopowders; Nanoscale materials and structures: fabrication and characterization; Physics; Polydispersity; Semi-periodic solids; Separation; Separation techniques; spectroscopic; Spectroscopy; State of the art; Structure of solids and liquids; crystallography; X-ray microscopy; Nanoparticles; Multiphase system; Particle size; Investigation method; separation; characterization techniques; spectroscopic; Chemical composition; Microstructure; imaging; Structural analysis
• ISSN: 1040-8436; 1547-6561; 2331-4583
• DOI: 10.1080/10408436.2014.899890

This article gives an overview of the different techniques used to identify, characterize, and quantify engineered nanoparticles (ENPs). The state-of-the-art of the field is summarized, and the different characterization techniques have been grouped according to the information they can provide. In addition, some selected applications are highlighted for each technique. The classification of the techniques has been carried out according to the main physical and chemical properties of the nanoparticles such as morphology, size, polydispersity characteristics, structural information, and elemental composition. Microscopy techniques including optical, electron and X-ray microscopy, and separation techniques with and without hyphenated detection systems are discussed. For each of these groups, a brief description of the techniques, specific features, and concepts, as well as several examples, are described.