Toward advancing nano-object count metrology: a best practice framework

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• International agencies are considering classifying materials based on sub-100-nm particle number content.
• This classification has significant implications for sustainable nanotechnology development.

Purpose of the Study:

• Highlight metrology challenges in particle size analysis for the chemical industry.
• Propose a best-practice framework for nano-object identification.
• Identify research needs for advancing nanomaterial characterization.

Main Methods:

• Review of current particle size metrology techniques.
• Development of a tiered framework for material evaluation.
• Analysis of existing regulatory thresholds for nanomaterials.

Main Results:

• Existing methods for identifying nanomaterials by size and count are not harmonized for real-world samples.
• Inconsistencies in size metrology complicate policy and decision-making.
• Current metrology may impede the development of sustainable nanotechnologies.

Conclusions:

• Harmonized methods for nanomaterial identification are currently lacking.
• A tiered approach for material evaluation is proposed.
• Further research and industry-academia cooperation are essential for developing robust metrology frameworks.