Dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), and single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (sp-ICP-MS) are currently available. The devices analyze the size, shape, composition, and other physicochemical properties of nanoparticles, often required for regulatory compliance of nanomaterials and products.
TEM | DLS | NTA | sp-ICP-MS | Zeta Potential | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mateiral Type | Various | Nanoparticle Protein |
Nanoparticle Protein |
Inorganic Nanomaterial |
Nanoparticle Protein |
|
Size | O | O | O | O | X | |
Size Range | Inorganic | ≥ 1 nm (a),(b) | 2 – 3,000 nm (c) | 10 – 1,000 nm (e) | 10 – 2,000 nm (g),(h) | 3.8 – 100,000 nm |
Organic | 30 – 1,000 nm(e) | X | ||||
Size Distribution | Number-based | Scattered Light Intensity-based |
Number-based | Number-based | X | |
Shape | O | X | X | X | X | |
Aspect Ratio | O | X | X | X | X | |
Aggregation/Agglomeration | O | O | O | O | △ | |
Composition | X (O with EDS) | X | X | O | X | |
Surface Charge | X | X | X | X | O | |
Concentration Range | NA | 9x1011 – 4x1014 particles/mL (d) |
106 – 109 particles/mL (f) |
103 – 106 particles/mL (i) |
<4x1015 particles/mL (d) |
|
Non-destructive | △ | O | O | X | O | |
Minimum Required Sample Volume | ~10µL |
~1mL † ~0.75mL †† |
~1mL | ~5mL (i) | ~0.75mL †† |