Size- and shape-controls and electronic functions of nanometer-scale semiconductors and oxides

Small Angle X-Ray Scattering Technique for the Particle Size Distribution of Nonporous Nanoparticles

Nanoparticles are small particles whose sizes are less than 100 nm. They have many industrial applications due to their unique properties. Their properties are often size-dependent; thus the accurate determination of nanoparticle sizes is important for quality assurance of nanoparticle production processes. A small angle X-ray scattering technique is a promising method used for characterizing nanoparticle sizes. It has distinctive advantages over other techniques such as electron microscope techniques. In this paper, we review the state-of-the-art methods for determining the sizes of nanoparticles with small angle X-ray experiments and discuss the advantages and limitations of the state-of-the-art methods.

Accurate Size and Size-Distribution Determination of Polystyrene Latex Nanoparticles in Aqueous Medium Using Dynamic Light Scattering and Asymmetrical Flow Field Flow Fractionation with Multi-Angle Light Scattering

Accurate determination of the intensity-average diameter of polystyrene latex (PS-latex) by dynamic light scattering (DLS) was carried out through extrapolation of both the concentration of PS-latex and the observed scattering angle. Intensity-average diameter and size distribution were reliably determined by asymmetric flow field flow fractionation (AFFFF) using multi-angle light scattering (MALS) with consideration of band broadening in AFFFF separation. The intensity-average diameter determined by DLS and AFFFF-MALS agreed well within the estimated uncertainties, although the size distribution of PS-latex determined by DLS was less reliable in comparison with that determined by AFFFF-MALS.