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Surface Characterization of Nanomaterials and Nanoparticles. Important needs and challenging opportunities

Journal Article · · Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology. A, Vacuum, Surfaces and Films
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1116/1.4818423· OSTI ID:1092635
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  1. Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
  2. Univ. of Rochester, NY (United States)
  3. Battelle Science and Technology India, Maharashtr (India)
  4. Daegu Gyeongbuk Inst. of Science and Technology, Daeju (Korea)

This review examines the characterization challenges inherently associated with understanding nanomaterials and how surface characterization methods can help meet those challenges. In parts of the research community, there is growing recognition that many studies and published reports on the properties and behaviors of nanomaterials have involved inadequate characterization. As a consequence, the true value of the data in these reports is, at best, uncertain. As the importance of nanomaterials in fundamental research and technological applications increases, it is necessary for researchers to recognize the challenges associated with reproducible materials synthesis, maintaining desired materials properties during handling and processing, and the dynamic nature of nanomaterials, especially nanoparticles. Researchers also need to understand how characterization approaches (surface and otherwise) can be used to minimize synthesis surprises and to determine how (and how quickly) materials and properties change in different environments. The types of information that can be provided by traditional surface sensitive analysis methods (including X-ray photoelectron and Auger electron spectroscopies, scanning probe microscopy and secondary ion mass spectroscopy) and less common or evolving surface sensitive methods (e.g., nuclear magnetic resonance, sum frequency generation, and low and medium energy ion scattering) are discussed and various of their use in nanomaterial research are presented.

Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States), Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
1092635
Report Number(s):
PNNL-SA--95071; 47663; 11696; 44635; 39891; 42295; 35204; KP1704020; KC0302020
Journal Information:
Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology. A, Vacuum, Surfaces and Films, Journal Name: Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology. A, Vacuum, Surfaces and Films Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 31; ISSN 0734-2101
Publisher:
American Vacuum Society
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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