Characterization of nanomaterials/nanoparticles

Abstract

In recent years, engineered nanoparticles have garnered increasing attention due to their potential for application in areas ranging from consumer and industrial products to medical diagnostics and therapeutics. This potential arises from the unique physical and chemical properties associated with the high surface-to-mass ratio and quantum phenomena of nanoparticles. Nanoparticles are in the same size range as many biomolecules such as proteins and membrane receptors, and their interactions with these biomolecules can be controlled by tuning the surface property/composition of the nanoparticles. Thus, nanoparticles can serve as useful imaging, diagnostic and therapeutic agents. On the other hand, these nanoparticles can also give rise to cytotoxic effects. Hence, it is imperative to carry out detailed characterization of engineered nanoparticles, especially those intended for medical applications, to predict their behavior in the in vivo environment. This chapter describes some methods that are useful for characterizing nanoparticles and their advantages, limitations, and challenges.