Importance of sample preparation on reliable surface characterisation of nano‐objects: ISO standard 20579‐4

The international ISO Standard 20579‐4, dealing with the history and preparation of nano‐objects for surface analysis, has been developed to help address some of the replication and reproducibility issues caused by the fundamental nature of nanoobjects. Although all types of samples requiring surface analysis need thoughtful preparation, nano‐objects, for which many properties are controlled by their surfaces, present additional challenges in order to avoid variations and artefacts due to the handling and preparation of materials prior to analysis. This international standard is part of a series of standards related to preparation of samples for surface chemical analysis. Parts 1 and 2 of ISO Standard series 20579 address general issues that apply to many samples. Part 3, which is still in development, will focus on biomaterials. Part 4 specifically considers issues that arise due to the inherent nature of nano‐objects. Because of sensitivity to their environment, the standard indicates the minimum Information that needs to be reported about the handling and preparation of nano‐objects prior to surface analysis. This information should become part of sample provenance information that helps assure the reliability and usefulness of data obtained from surface‐analysis in the context of the synthesis, processing, and analysis history of a batch of material. Application of this standard can help address reproducibility and traceability issues associated with synthesis, processing, and characterization of nano‐objects in research and commercial applications.

[1]  D. Castner,et al.  A Method for Accurate Quantitative XPS Analysis of Multimetallic or Multiphase Catalysts on Support Particles , 1995 .

[2]  Robert I. MacCuspie,et al.  Identification and Avoidance of Potential Artifacts and Misinterpretations in Nanomaterial Ecotoxicity Measurements , 2014, Environmental science & technology.

[3]  Donald R. Baer,et al.  Application of surface analysis methods to nanomaterials: summary of ISO/TC 201 technical report: ISO 14187:2011 – surface chemical analysis – characterization of nanomaterials , 2012 .

[4]  J. Pettibone,et al.  Discriminating the states of matter in metallic nanoparticle transformations: what are we missing? , 2013, ACS nano.

[6]  Suntharampillai Thevuthasan,et al.  Surface characterization of nanomaterials and nanoparticles: Important needs and challenging opportunities. , 2013, Journal of vacuum science & technology. A, Vacuum, surfaces, and films : an official journal of the American Vacuum Society.

[7]  Harald F Krug,et al.  Nanosafety research--are we on the right track? , 2014, Angewandte Chemie.

[8]  M. Seah.  Summary of ISO/TC 201 standard: ISO 18115‐2:2013 – surface chemical analysis – vocabulary – terms used in scanning probe microscopy , 2014 .

[9]  D. Castner,et al.  Evaluating the Internal Structure of Core-Shell Nanoparticles Using X-ray Photoelectron Intensities and Simulated Spectra. , 2015, The journal of physical chemistry. C, Nanomaterials and interfaces.

[10]  C. Clifford,et al.  Summary of ISO/TC 201 standard: ISO 19668—Surface chemical analysis—X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy—Estimating and reporting detection limits for elements in homogeneous materials , 2018 .

[11]  P. Munusamy,et al.  Preparation and characterization challenges to understanding environmental and biological impacts of ceria nanoparticles , 2012 .

[12]  Paul G Tratnyek,et al.  Characterization challenges for nanomaterials , 2008 .

[13]  M. Seah.  Summary of ISO/TC 201 standard: XXI. ISO 21270:2004—Surface chemical analysis—X‐ray photoelectron and Auger electron spectrometers—Linearity of intensity scale , 2004 .

[14]  W. Arnold,et al.  Zero-Valent Iron: Impact of Anions Present during Synthesis on Subsequent Nanoparticle Reactivity , 2011 .

[15]  E. Sacher,et al.  A comparative physicochemical, morphological and magnetic study of silane-functionalized superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles prepared by alkaline coprecipitation. , 2016, The international journal of biochemistry & cell biology.

[16]  J. M. Sturm,et al.  Versailles Project on Advanced Materials and Standards Interlaboratory Study on Measuring the Thickness and Chemistry of Nanoparticle Coatings Using XPS and LEIS. , 2016, The journal of physical chemistry. C, Nanomaterials and interfaces.

[17]  E. Sacher,et al.  Core-shell nanoparticles as prodrugs: possible cytotoxicological and biomedical impacts of batch-to-batch inconsistencies. , 2013, Journal of colloid and interface science.

[18]  Paul S Weiss,et al.  Where Are We Heading in Nanotechnology Environmental Health and Safety and Materials Characterization? , 2015, ACS nano.

[19]  J. Wolstenholme.  Summary of ISO/TC 201 Standard: XXX. ISO 18516: 2006—Surface chemical analysis—Auger electron spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy—Determination of lateral resolution , 2008 .

[20]  D. Baer.  Summary of ISO/TC 201 Standard: ISO 29081: 2010, surface chemical analysis—Auger electron spectroscopy—reporting of methods used for charge control and charge correction , 2011 .

[21]  D. Castner,et al.  Comparisons of Analytical Approaches for Determining Shell Thicknesses of Core-Shell Nanoparticles by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy. , 2018, The journal of physical chemistry. C, Nanomaterials and interfaces.

[22]  Marina A. Dobrovolskaia,et al.  Common pitfalls in nanotechnology: lessons learned from NCI's Nanotechnology Characterization Laboratory. , 2013, Integrative biology : quantitative biosciences from nano to macro.

[23]  Craig J. Neal,et al.  Modulating the Catalytic Activity of Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles with the Anion of the Precursor Salt. , 2017, The journal of physical chemistry. C, Nanomaterials and interfaces.

[24]  M. Seah,et al.  Depth Profiling and Melting of Nanoparticles in Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) , 2013 .

[25]  C. Powell.  Summary of ISO/TC 201 Standard: XXIX. ISO 20903: 2006—Surface chemical analysis—Auger electron spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy—methods used to determine peak intensities and information required when reporting results , 2007 .

[26]  Martin P. Seah,et al.  SUMMARY OF ISO/TC 201 STANDARD : I. ISO 14976:1998 : SURFACE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS : DATA TRANSFER FORMAT , 1999 .

[27]  P. Munusamy,et al.  Provenance information as a tool for addressing engineered nanoparticle reproducibility challenges , 2016, Biointerphases.

[28]  M. Seah.  Summary of ISO/TC 201 Standard: XXIII, ISO 24236:2005—surface chemical analysis—Auger electron spectroscopy—repeatability and constancy of intensity scale , 2007 .

[29]  M. Seah.  Summary of ISO/TC 201 Standard: ISO 18115‐1:2013 – Surface chemical analysis – Vocabulary – General terms and terms used in spectroscopy , 2014 .

[30]  D. Castner,et al.  Particle and Phase Thicknesses from XPS Analysis of Supported Bimetallic Catalysts: Calcined Co-Rh/Nb2O5 , 1995 .

[31]  D. Matson,et al.  Characterization and reactivity of iron nanoparticles prepared with added Cu, Pd, and Ni. , 2010, Environmental science & technology.