Overview
CEN ISO/TS 80004-6:2021 - Nanotechnologies: Vocabulary - Part 6: Nano-object characterization is a Technical Specification that standardizes terms and definitions used when characterizing nano-objects. The document (second edition, 2021) updates and supersedes the 2015 edition and is intended to improve clarity and consistency in communication between researchers, industry, regulators and other stakeholders working with nanomaterials. It defines vocabulary around the nanoscale (approximately 1 nm to 100 nm) and related object classes such as nanoparticles, nanofibres, nanoplatelets and quantum dots.
Key topics
The specification organizes terms into concise, practical categories that reflect common characterization activities:
- General terms - definitions for nanoscale, nano-object, nanoparticle, nanofibre, nanotube, quantum dot, particle, etc.
- Size and shape measurement - overarching measurands and technique-specific terms (scattering, aerosol, separation, microscopy, surface area).
- Chemical analysis - vocabulary related to compositional and surface-chemistry techniques.
- Other properties - terms for mass, thermal behaviour, crystallinity and electrokinetic/charge measurements.
Common characterization techniques listed for reference include:
- Microscopy: AFM, TEM, SEM
- Scattering/size: DLS, SAXS, PTA, DMAS
- Separation and sizing: CLS
- Surface and chemical analysis: BET, XPS, SIMS, EDX, ICP‑MS, NMR
- Crystallinity: XRD, SAED
- Charge/electrokinetic: electrophoretic mobility
Note: this document is a vocabulary/terminology resource (no normative measurement procedures or detailed protocols).
Applications and who uses it
This vocabulary is useful for anyone involved in nano-object characterization, including:
- Materials scientists, chemists, physicists and biologists conducting measurement and analysis
- Analytical and testing laboratories documenting results and methods
- Instrument manufacturers and software developers describing capabilities and outputs
- Regulators, toxicologists and quality managers evaluating safety, compliance and reporting
- Standards developers and technical writers aligning terminology across documents
Using standardized terms improves comparability of data, reproducibility of reports and clarity in regulatory submissions and research publications.
Related standards
Keywords: CEN ISO/TS 80004-6:2021, nano-object characterization, nanotechnologies vocabulary, nanoparticle characterization, nanomaterials terminology, nanocharacterization techniques.
