Characterization challenges for nanomaterials

TLDR

Nanostructured materials are increasingly analyzed by a wide range of chemical and physical techniques, but their small size, high surface area, and associated probe, environmental, and handling effects create significant challenges for obtaining reliable data. The authors illustrate these challenges through case studies of ceria and iron core‑shell nanoparticles, applying X‑ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X‑ray diffraction, and supplementary methods to acquire essential structural and compositional information. © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Abstract

Abstract Nanostructured materials are increasingly subject to nearly every type of chemical and physical analysis possible. Due to their small sizes, there is a significant focus on tools with high spatial resolution. It is also natural to characterize nanomaterials using tools designed to analyze surfaces, because of their high surface area. Regardless of the approach, nanostructured materials present a variety of obstacles to adequate, useful, and needed analysis. Case studies of measurements on ceria and iron metal‐core/oxide‐shell nanoparticles are used to introduce some of the issues that frequently need to be addressed during analysis of nanostructured materials. We use a combination of tools for routine analysis including X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and x‐ray diffraction (XRD) and apply several other methods as needed to obtain essential information. The examples provide an introduction to other issues and complications associated with the analysis of nanostructured materials including particle stability, probe effects, environmental effects, specimen handling, surface coating, contamination, and time. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.