Nanomaterial characterization: An introduction

Nanomaterial Characterization
Providing various properties of nanomaterials and the various methods available for their characterization

Over the course of the last few decades, research activity on nanomaterials has gained considerable press coverage. The use of nanomaterials has meant that consumer products can be made lighter, stronger, esthetically more pleasing, and less expensive. The significant role of nanomaterials in improving the quality of life is clear, resulting in faster computers, cleaner energy production, target-driven pharmaceuticals, and better construction materials. It is not surprising, therefore, that nanomaterial research has really taken off, spanning across different scientific disciplines from material science to nanotoxicology. A critical part of any nanomaterial research, however, is the need to characterize physicochemical properties of the nanomaterials, which is not a trivial matter.

Nanomaterial Characterization: An Introduction is dedicated to understanding the key physicochemical properties and their characterization methods. Each chapter begins by giving an overview of the topic before a case study is presented. The purpose of the case study is to demonstrate how the reader may make use of the background information presented to them and show how this can be translated to solve a nanospecific application scenario. Thus, it will be useful for researchers in helping them design experimental investigations. The book begins with a general overview of the subject, thus giving the reader a solid foundation to nanomaterial characterization.

Nanomaterial Characterization: An Introduction features:

Nanomaterial synthesis and reference nanomaterials
Key physicochemical properties and their measurements including particle size distribution by number, solubility, surface area, surface chemistry, mechanical/tribological properties, and dustiness
Scanning tunneling microscopy methods operated under extreme conditions
Novel strategy for biological characterization of nanomaterial methods
Methods to handle and visualize multidimensional nanomaterial characterization data
The book is written in such a way that both students and experts in other fields of science will find the information useful, whether they are in academia, industry, or regulation, or those whose analytical background may be limited. There is also an extensive list of references associated with every chapter to encourage further reading.