“Real-world” precision, bias, and between-laboratory variation for surface area measurement of a titanium dioxide nanomaterial in powder form

Published

June 1, 2013

Author(s)

Vincent A. Hackley, Aleksandr B. Stefaniak

Abstract

Accurate characterization of nanomaterial properties is a critical component of any nanotoxicology testing strategy. Data that describes the performance of various laboratories to measure the characteristics of the same nanomaterial is scarce. We conducted an inter-laboratory study to evaluate “real-world” precision and bias of specific surface area measurements. Each participant was provided a sample of NIST Standard Reference Material (SRM) 1898 (Titanium Dioxide Nanopowder) and a sample preparation and analysis protocol. Based on results from n = 19 laboratories, estimates of precision ranged from 0.10 % to 3.96 % and measurement bias was generally within ± 5 % of the certified surface area value of the material. Between-laboratory variability accounted for 91 % of the total variance and is likely explained by gravimetric errors. Reliable determination of intrinsic nanomaterial properties such as surface area will permit development of protocols for toxicity testing, verification of laboratory proficiency, and consistency in interpretation of toxicity study data.

Citation

Journal of Nanoparticle Research

Volume

15

Pub Type

Journals

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-013-1742-y

Keywords

Surface Area, Reference Material, Precision, Titanium Dioxide, Nanoparticle, Nanomaterial, Nanotoxicology, Gas Sorption, BET

Citation

Hackley, V. and Stefaniak, A. (2013), “Real-world” precision, bias, and between-laboratory variation for surface area measurement of a titanium dioxide nanomaterial in powder form, Journal of Nanoparticle Research, [online], https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-013-1742-y (Accessed October 16, 2025)