Sizing errors can hide true nanoparticle behavior

Nanoscience, the study of small objects, faces a significant challenge in accurately analyzing data related to nanomaterials. A team of scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has discovered a pervasive error in data analysis that can lead to misleading insights into how the properties of these tiny objects depend on their size.

The scientists have developed a mathematical correction to address this issue, enabling a more accurate understanding of how nanomaterials behave. This discovery has wide-ranging implications, affecting everything from material property testing to the development of nanotechnology-based products. Nanoscale objects, ranging from a few to a few hundred nanometers in size, often exhibit properties that differ from their bulk counterparts.

For instance, gold nanoparticles can appear ruby red. These materials are crucial in various industries, including electronics, ceramics, paints, plastics, chemical catalysis, and drug delivery. The global market for nanotechnology products exceeded $100 billion annually and continues to grow. Accurate measurements and analysis of nanomaterial performance are essential for developing better products, but current methods for measuring and analyzing these materials require improvement.

The NIST team found that researchers often assume their particle size measurements are precise and accurate, but in reality, these measurements have limited precision and accuracy. This oversight can distort the relationship between particle size and performance, such as brightness or drug-carrying capacity. To correct for this issue, the team derived mathematical corrections that account for the limited precision and accuracy of particle size measurements.

By using these corrections, researchers can estimate the measurement errors of their particle size measurements, either by using reliable reference materials or by carefully calculating the uncertainty of their measurements. This correction will help ensure that the true relationship between particle properties and size is accurately revealed, enabling nanotechnology to reach its full potential for enhancing economic security and improving quality of life.