IEC/TC 113 - Nanotechnology for electrotechnical products and systems

This document describes methods for the quantification of nano-object release from powders as a result of treatment, ranging from handling to high energy dispersion, by measuring aerosols liberated after a defined aerosolization procedure. Particle number concentration and size distribution of the aerosol are measured and the mass concentration is derived. This document provides information on factors to be considered when selecting among the available methods for powder sampling and treatment procedures and specifies minimum requirements for test sample preparation, test protocol development, measuring particle release and reporting data. In order to characterize the full size range of particles generated, the measurement of nano-objects as well as agglomerates and aggregates is adressed in this document. This document does not include the characterization of particle sizes within the powder. Tribological methods are excluded where direct mechanical friction is applied to grind or abrade the material.

This document defines terms related to the characterization of nano-objects in the field of nanotechnologies. It is intended to facilitate communication between organizations and individuals in research, industry and other interested parties and those who interact with them.

This document specifies the sequence of methods for characterizing the structural properties of graphene, bilayer graphene and graphene nanoplatelets from powders and liquid dispersions using a range of measurement techniques typically after the isolation of individual flakes on a substrate. The properties covered are the number of layers/thickness, the lateral flake size, the level of disorder, layer alignment and the specific surface area. Suggested measurement protocols, sample preparation routines and data analysis for the characterization of graphene from powders and dispersions are given.

This document defines terms related to nanomanufacturing processes in the field of nanotechnologies. All the process terms in this document are relevant to nanomanufacturing, however, many of the listed processes are not exclusively relevant to the nanoscale. Terms that are not exclusive are noted within the definitions. Depending on controllable conditions, such processes can result in material features at the nanoscale or, alternatively, at larger scales. There are many other terms that name tools, components, materials, systems control methods or metrology methods associated with nanomanufacturing that are beyond the scope of this document. Terms and definitions from other parts of the ISO/TS 80004 series are reproduced in Clause 3 for context and better understanding.

This document defines terms related to carbon nano-objects in the field of nanotechnologies. It is intended to facilitate communication between organizations' and individuals' research, industry and other interested parties and those who interact with them. Additional terms and definitions for graphene and two-dimensional materials (2D) materials are provided in ISO/TS 80004-13. Related carbon nanoscale materials are given in Annex A.

This document specifies how to capture, measure and analyse transmission electron microscopy images to obtain particle size and shape distributions in the nanoscale. This document broadly is applicable to nano-objects as well as to particles with sizes larger than 100 nm. The exact working range of the method depends on the required uncertainty and on the performance of the transmission electron microscope. These elements can be evaluated according to the requirements described in this document.

This document gives guidelines for the characterization of carbon nanotube (CNT)-containing samples by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), performed in either an inert or oxidizing environment. Guidance is provided on the purity assessment of the CNT samples through a quantitative measure of the types of carbon species present as well as the non-carbon impurities (e.g. metal catalyst particles) within the material. In addition, this technique provides a qualitative assessment of the thermal stability and homogeneity of the CNT-containing sample. Additional characterization techniques are required to confirm the presence of specific types of CNT and to verify the composition of the metallic impurities present.

This document gives guidelines for the characterization of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) using near infrared (NIR) photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. It provides a measurement method for the determination of the chiral indices of the semi-conducting SWCNTs in a sample and their relative integrated PL intensities. The method can be expanded to estimate the relative mass concentrations of semi-conducting SWCNTs in a sample from their measured integrated PL intensities and knowledge of their PL cross-sections.

This document specifies a method for the characterization of evolved gas components in single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) samples using evolved gas analysis/gas chromatograph mass spectrometry (EGA/GCMS). NOTE Some difference could appear between qualitative and quantitative results of emitted gas and gas content in the sample due to the heating and the possible presence of catalysts.

This document provides guidelines to quantify and identify air concentration (number of particles/cm3) of particles of carbon black and/or amorphous silica by size in air samples collected in a mixed dust industrial manufacturing environment. The method is defined for air samples collected with an electrical low pressure cascade impactor (ELPCI). on a 25 mm polycarbonate substrate. The method is suitable for sampling in manufacturing environments where there are a variety of particle types contributing to the overall atmosphere. This method is applicable only to environments with chemically and physically distinct particles contributing to aerosols or when confounders can be controlled (e.g. diesel sources). Other sampling methods can also be suitable, though this document is limited to describing methods associated with the electrical low pressure cascade impactor. Samples collected with the electrical low pressure cascade impactor are analyzed via TEM and EDS to for particle morphology and elemental composition, respectively, to permit identification of particles by type. This information is then used, in conjunction with particle concentration by size range, as determined by the electrical low pressure cascade impactor, to determine concentration of the materials of interest by size.

This document identifies parameters and conditions, as part of an integrated measurement system, necessary to develop and validate methods for the application of asymmetrical-flow and centrifugal field-flow fractionation to the analysis of nano-objects and their aggregates and agglomerates dispersed in aqueous media. In addition to constituent fractionation, analysis can include size, size distribution, concentration and material identification using one or more suitable detectors. General guidelines and procedures are provided for application, and minimal reporting requirements necessary to reproduce a method and to convey critical aspects are specified.

ISO/TS 11888:2017 describes methods for the characterization of mesoscopic shape factors of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). Techniques employed include scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), viscometry, and light scattering analysis. ISO/TS 11888:2017 also includes additional terms needed to define the characterization of static bending persistence length (SBPL). Measurement methods are given for the evaluation of SBPL, which generally varies from several tens of nanometres to several hundred micrometres. Well-established concepts and mathematical expressions, analogous to polymer physics, are utilized for the definition of mesoscopic shape factors of MWCNTs.

ISO/TS 10868:2017 provides guidelines for the characterization of compounds containing single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) by using optical absorption spectroscopy. The aim of this document is to describe a measurement method to characterize the diameter, the purity, and the ratio of metallic SWCNTs to the total SWCNT content in the sample. The analysis of the nanotube diameter is applicable for the diameter range from 1 nm to 2 nm.

ISO/TS 19590:2017 specifies a method for the detection of nanoparticles in aqueous suspensions and characterization of the particle number and particle mass concentration and the number-based size distribution using ICP-MS in a time-resolved mode to determine the mass of individual nanoparticles and ionic concentrations. The method is applicable for the determination of the size of inorganic nanoparticles (e.g. metal and metal oxides like Au, Ag, TiO2, BVO4, etc.), with size ranges of 10 nm to 100 nm (and larger particles up to 1 000 nm to 2 000 nm) in aqueous suspensions. Metal compounds other than oxides (e.g. sulfides, etc.), metal composites or coated particles with a metal core can be determined if the chemical composition and density are known. Particle number concentrations that can be determined in aqueous suspensions range from 106 particles/L to 109 particles/L which corresponds to mass concentrations in the range of approximately 1 ng/L to 1 000 ng/L (for 60 nm Au particles). Actual numbers depend on the type of mass spectrometer used and the type of nanoparticle analysed. In addition to the particle concentrations, ionic concentrations in the suspension can also be determined. Limits of detection are comparable with standard ICP-MS measurements. Note that nanoparticles with sizes smaller than the particle size detection limit of the spICP-MS method may be quantified as ionic. The method proposed in this document is not applicable for the detection and characterization of organic or carbon-based nanoparticles like encapsulates, fullerenes and carbon nanotubes (CNT). In addition, it is not applicable for elements other than carbon and that are difficult to determine with ICP-MS. Reference [5] gives an overview of elements that can be detected and the minimum particle sizes that can be determined with spICP-MS.

ISO/TS 80004-1:2015 lists terms and definitions related to core terms in the field of nanotechnologies. It is intended to facilitate communications between organizations and individuals in industry and those who interact with them.