Ultrasonic Dispersion of Nanoparticles for Environmental, Health and Safety Assessment--Issues and Recommendations

Published

November 30, 2010

Author(s)

Julian S. Taurozzi, Vincent A. Hackley, Mark R. Wiesner

Abstract

A common approach for the study of the environmental and biological interactions of nanomaterials relies on the ultrasonic disruption of powders to obtain nanoparticle suspensions. Yet, the widespread and inconsistent use of ultrasonic treatment across laboratories and the lack of process standardization have contributed to a broad variability in the observed results. This work explores sonication induced effects that can impact on the properties and behavior of nanomaterial suspensions obtained by ultrasonic disruption. Additionally, we propose a method for the standardized measurement of sonication power, and a set of reporting guidelines to facilitate the reproducibility of studies involving engineered nanoparticle suspensions obtained via sonication.

Citation

Nanotoxicology

Pub Type

Journals

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Keywords

environmental assessment, toxicology, nanoparticle, nanomaterial, ultrasonics, sonication, dispersion, suspension, agglomeration, aggregation

Citation

Taurozzi, J. , Hackley, V. and Wiesner, M. (2010), Ultrasonic Dispersion of Nanoparticles for Environmental, Health and Safety Assessment--Issues and Recommendations, Nanotoxicology, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=905978 (Accessed October 10, 2025)