Concept

A Systematic Nomenclature for Codifying Engineered Nanostructures

  1. Darcy J. Gentleman,
  2. Warren C. W. Chan*

Article first published online: 2 FEB 2009

DOI: 10.1002/smll.200800490

Issue

Small

Small

Volume 5, Issue 4, pages 426–431, February 20, 2009

Additional Information

How to Cite

Gentleman, D. J. and Chan, W. C. W. (2009), A Systematic Nomenclature for Codifying Engineered Nanostructures. Small, 5: 426–431. doi: 10.1002/smll.200800490

Author Information

  1. Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular & Biomolecular Research Department of Materials Science & Engineering Department of Chemical Engineering University of Toronto Toronto, ON (Canada)

*Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular & Biomolecular Research Department of Materials Science & Engineering Department of Chemical Engineering University of Toronto Toronto, ON (Canada).

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 19 FEB 2009
  2. Article first published online: 2 FEB 2009
  3. Manuscript Revised: 4 SEP 2008
  4. Manuscript Received: 7 APR 2008

Funded by

  • NSERC
  • CIHR

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Keywords:

  • cataloging;
  • nanostructures;
  • nomenclature;
  • toxicity

Abstract

Nanotechnology's growing applications are fueled by the synthesis and engineering of a myriad nanostructures, yet there is no systematic naming or classification scheme for such materials. This lack of a coherent nomenclature is confusing the interpretation of data sets and threatens to hamper the pace of progress and risk assessment. A systematic nomenclature that encodes the overall composition, size, shape, core and ligand chemistry, and solubility of nanostructures is presented. A typographic string of minimalist field codes facilitates digital archiving and searches for desired properties. This nomenclature system could also be used for nanomaterial hazard labeling.

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