Sample Preparation Protocols

• Synthesis of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs)
• Fabrication of composite materials in which ENMs are embedded in a matrix material; many nanotechnology-enabled products (NEPs) are manufactured from such nanocomposites
• Procedures for the generation of ENM, composite, or NEP samples for subsequent measurements
• Procedures for the generation of ENMs released from NEPs by processes such as mechanical abrasion and weathering

The development of a sample preparation protocol is challenging for a number of reasons. ENMs have large surface-to-volume ratios and, on exposure to various media, may undergo transformations such as agglomeration and adsorption of natural organic matter during sample preparation. Typically, each type of measurement requires that a sample be in a specific physical form; thus, a number of different sample preparation procedures are required for measurements of ENMs, composites, or NEPs by multiple methods. Finally, reproducibility of sample preparation procedures can only be ascertained via measurements of specific ENM properties.

Following is a list of sample preparation protocols. The first five address dispersion of nanoparticles for subsequent environmental or biological testing and were developed in collaboration with researchers at the Center for the Environmental Implications of NanoTechnology (CEINT) at Duke University.

• NIST SP-1200-1: Reporting Guidelines for the Preparation of Aqueous Nanoparticle Dispersions from Dry Materials, Version 2.1
  DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.1200-1 
• NIST SP-1200-2: Preparation of Nanoparticle Dispersions from Powdered Material Using Ultrasonic Disruption, Version 1.1
  DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.1200-2 
• NIST SP-1200-3: Preparation of a Nanoscale TiO2 Aqueous Dispersion for Toxicological or Environmental Testing, Version 1.2
  DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.1200-3 
• NIST SP-1200-4: Preparation of Nanoscale TiO2 Dispersions in Biological Test Media for Toxicological Assessment, Version 1.1
  DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.1200-4 
• NIST SP-1200-5r: Preparation of Nanoscale TiO2 Dispersions in an Environmental Matrix for Eco-Toxicological Assessment, Version 1.2
  DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.1200-5r1  
• NIST SP-1200-8: Preparation of Silver Nanoparticle Loaded Cotton Threads to Facilitate Measurement Development for Textile Applications
  DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.1200-8
• NIST SP 1200-9: Preparation of Nanoscale Multi-walled Carbon Nanotube Dispersions in a Polyetheramine Epoxy for Eco- Toxicological Assessment
  DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.1200-9
• NIST SP 1200-12: Reconstitution of 2 nm diameter Silicon Nanoparticles (RM 8027) into aqueous solvents
  DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.1200-12
• NIST SP 1200-14: Reliable Preparation of Nanoparticle Agglomerates of Different Sizes in Cell Culture Media
  DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.1200-14
• NIST SP 1200-16: Strategies for Transmission Electron Microscopy Specimen Preparation of Polymer Composite
  DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.1200-16

• NIST SP 1200-24: Sucrose density gradient centrifugation for efficient separation of engineered nanoparticles from a model organism, Caenorhabditis elegans
  DOI: https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.1200-24

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