Characterization of the physical and chemical properties of engineered nanomaterials

Characterization of engineered nanomaterials is fundamental to assess their effective impacts on the environment and human health, as well as their evolution in time and fate. The greater number of physical and chemical properties is known, the more consistent picture is achieved, and the more accurate forecasts can be done. Approaches and techniques to collect, separate, and determine their properties evolve continuously along with the unstoppable technological progress. In this chapter some of the most frequently used and more recent approaches and techniques are briefly summarized, pointing out which are their fields of application and their limits, as well as their strengths and their weaknesses.