ASTM E2834-12(2018)

Standard Guide for Measurement of Particle Size Distribution of Nanomaterials in Suspension by Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA)

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 NTA is one of the very few techniques that are able to deal with the measurement of particle size distribution in the nano-size region. This guide describes the NTA technique for direct visualization and measurement of Brownian motion, generally applicable in the particle size range from several nanometers until the onset of sedimentation in the sample. The NTA technique is usually applied to dilute suspensions of solid material in a liquid carrier. It is a first principles method (that is, calibration in the standard understanding of this word, is not involved). The measurement is hydrodynamically based and therefore provides size information in the suspending medium (typically water). Thus the hydrodynamic diameter will almost certainly differ from size diameters determined by other techniques and users of the NTA technique need to be aware of the distinction of the various descriptors of particle diameter before making comparisons between techniques (see 8.7). Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the technique is routinely applied in industry and academia as both a research and development tool and as a QC method for the characterization of submicron systems.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide deals with the measurement of particle size distribution of suspended particles, from ~10 nm to the onset of sedimentation, sample dependent, using the nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) technique. It does not provide a complete measurement methodology for any specific nanomaterial, but provides a general overview and guide as to the methodology that should be followed for good practice, along with potential pitfalls.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-2017
• ICS: 07.120 - Nanotechnologies
• Technical Committee: E56 - Nanotechnology
• Drafting Committee: E56.02 - Physical and Chemical Characterization

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: E2834 − 12 (Reapproved 2018)
Standard Guide for
Measurement of Particle Size Distribution of Nanomaterials
1
in Suspension by Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2834; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope E2490Guide for Measurement of Particle Size Distribution
of Nanomaterials in Suspension by Photon Correlation
1.1 This guide deals with the measurement of particle size
Spectroscopy (PCS)
distributionofsuspendedparticles,from~10nmtotheonsetof
3
2.2 ISO Standards:
sedimentation,sampledependent,usingthenanoparticletrack-
ISO 13320Particle Size Analysis—Laser Diffraction Meth-
ing analysis (NTA) technique. It does not provide a complete
ods
measurement methodology for any specific nanomaterial, but
ISO 13321 Particle Size Analysis—Photon Correlation
provides a general overview and guide as to the methodology
Spectroscopy
that should be followed for good practice, along with potential
ISO 14488Particulate Materials—Sampling And Sample
pitfalls.
Splitting for the Determination of Particulate Properties
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
ISO 22412Particle Size Analysis—Dynamic Light Scatter-
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
ing (DLS)
standard.
3. Terminology
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1 Definitions:
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1.1 diffusion coeffıcient, n—a measure to characterize the
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
rate a particular molecule or particle moves in a particular
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
medium when driven by random thermal agitation (Brownian
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
motion).
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.1.1.1 Discussion—After measurement, the value is to be
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
inputted into the Stokes-Einstein equation (Eq 1, see
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
7.2.1.2(3)). Diffusion coefficient units in nanoparticle tracking
2
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
analysis (NTA) measurements are typically cm /s, rather than
2
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
the correct SI units of m /s.
3.1.2 repeatability, n—in NTA and other particle sizing
2. Referenced Documents
techniques, this usually refers to a measure of the precision of
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
repeated consecutive measurements on the same group of
C322Practice for Sampling Ceramic Whiteware Clays
particles under identical conditions and is normally expressed
E456Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
as a relative standard deviation (RSD) or coefficient of varia-
E1617Practice for Reporting Particle Size Characterization
tion (CV).
Data
3.1.2.1 Discussion—The repeatability value reflects the sta-
bility (instrumental, but mainly the sample) of the system over
time. Changes in the sample could include dispersion, aggre-
gation and settling.
1 3.1.3 reproducibility, n—in NTA and particle sizing this
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E56 on Nanotech-
nology and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E56.02 on Physical and usually refers to a measure of the deviation of the results
Chemical Characterization.
obtained from the first aliquot to that obtained for the second
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2018. Published January 2018. Originally
and further aliquots of the same bulk sample (and therefore is
approved in 2012. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as E2834 – 12. DOI:
subject to the homogeneity or heterogeneity of the starting
10.1520/E2834-12R18.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
the ASTM website. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E2834 − 12 (2018)
material and the sampling method employed). Normally ex- 3.2 Acronyms:
pressed as a relative standard deviation (RSD) or coefficient of 3.2.1 CV—coefficient of variation
variation (CV).
3.2.2 CCD—charge-coupled d
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: E2834 − 12 E2834 − 12 (Reapproved 2018)
Standard Guide for
Measurement of Particle Size Distribution of Nanomaterials
1
in Suspension by Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2834; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This guide deals with the measurement of particle size distribution of suspended particles, from ~10 nm to the onset of
sedimentation, sample dependent, using the nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) technique. It does not provide a complete
measurement methodology for any specific nanomaterial, but provides a general overview and guide as to the methodology that
should be followed for good practice, along with potential pitfalls.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C322 Practice for Sampling Ceramic Whiteware Clays
E456 Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
E1617 Practice for Reporting Particle Size Characterization Data
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E56 on Nanotechnology and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E56.02 on Physical and Chemical
Characterization.
Current edition approved April 1, 2012Jan. 1, 2018. Published May 2012January 2018. Originally approved in 2012. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as E2834
– 12. DOI: 10.1520/E2834-12.10.1520/E2834-12R18.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’sstandard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E2834 − 12 (2018)
E2490 Guide for Measurement of Particle Size Distribution of Nanomaterials in Suspension by Photon Correlation Spectroscopy
(PCS)
3
2.2 ISO Standards:
ISO 13320 Particle Size Analysis—Laser Diffraction Methods
ISO 13321 Particle Size Analysis—Photon Correlation Spectroscopy
ISO 14488 Particulate Materials—Sampling And Sample Splitting for the Determination of Particulate Properties
ISO 22412 Particle Size Analysis—Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS)
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 diffusion coeffıcient, n—a measure to characterize the rate a particular molecule or particle moves in a particular medium
when driven by random thermal agitation (Brownian motion).
3.1.1.1 Discussion—
After measurement, the value is to be inputted into the Stokes-Einstein equation (Eq 1, see 7.2.1.2(3)). Diffusion coefficient units
2 2
in nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) measurements are typically cm /s, rather than the correct SI units of m /s.
3.1.2 repeatability, n—in NTA and other particle sizing techniques, this usually refers to a measure of the precision of repeated
consecutive measurements on the same group of particles under identical conditions and is normally expressed as a relative
standard deviation (RSD) or coefficient of variation (CV).
3.1.2.1 Discussion—
The repeatability value reflects the stability (instrumental, but mainly the sample) of the system over time. Changes in the sample
could include dispersion, aggregation and settling.
3.1.3 reproducibility, n—in NTA and particle sizing this usually refers to a measure of the deviation of the results obtained from
the first aliquot to that obtained for the second and further aliquots of the same bulk sample (and therefore is subject to the
homogeneity or heterogeneity of
...