Dosage of nanomaterials

Nanomaterials are substances with at least one dimension between 1 and 100 nanometers. At this scale, particles exhibit specific physicochemical properties that differ from those of the same materials in their macroscopic state. Nanomaterials are found in many consumer products, including cosmetics, packaging, medical devices, polymers, and some food formulations.

The dosage of nanomaterials makes it possible to identify their presence, to characterize their size, their distribution and their concentration, but also to verify their compliance with current regulations.

Analytical methods

Several complementary techniques are used for the dosage of nanomaterials:

• Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to directly visualize particles and determine their morphology.
• Dynamic light scattering (DLS) to estimate the average size and distribution of suspended particles.
• sp-ICP-MS (Single Particle ICP-MS) to quantify metal nanoparticles and their concentration in a matrix.
• Flow field fractionation (FFF) coupled with spectrometry to separate and analyze particles according to their size.

The choice of method depends on the type of nanomaterial (metallic, carbon, organic, mineral) and the matrix studied (cosmetic, food, environmental).

Affected matrices

Nanomaterial dosing can be applied to many matrices:

• Cosmetic products (sun creams containing TiO₂ or ZnO, lotions, powders)
• Packaging and materials in contact with foodstuffs
• Industrial ingredients and chemical formulations
• Environmental samples (water, soil, sediment)
• Research nanomaterials and composite materials

Industrial applications

• Cosmetics : characterization of metal oxides (TiO₂, ZnO) used as UV filters and control of their nanometric form.
• Environment : detection and monitoring of metallic nanoparticles such as silver, which can have ecotoxicological impacts.
• Materials and polymers : validation of the presence of nanometric fillers (silicas, carbon nanotubes) in composites.
• Food : verification of the conformity of packaging and additives in relation to regulation INCO 1169/2011.
• Research and innovation : development of new functional applications based on the specific properties of nanomaterials.

Additional analyses

The dosage of nanomaterials can be supplemented by other analytical services to ensure complete monitoring:

• SEM (scanning electron microscopy) analysis to observe the structure of the particles.
• Specific migration tests to measure the possible transfer of nanomaterials from a material to a foodstuff.
• Dosage of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) used as an additive or UV filter.
• Determination of zinc and its derivatives to complete the analysis of ZnO sunscreens.

Regulations and quality issues

Regulations require increased transparency regarding the use of nanomaterials. Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011 (INCO), for example, requires the explicit mention of [nano] in the list of food ingredients. The Cosmetics Regulation (EC No. 1223/2009) also requires specific declaration and assessment of nanomaterials. Finally, the REACH regulation governs the registration and assessment of chemical substances at the nanoscale.

Compliance with these obligations requires precise and validated analyses. The dosage of nanomaterials therefore helps to secure products, increase transparency for consumers and anticipate regulatory controls.

YesWeLab expertise

YesWeLab relies on a network of partner laboratories specialized in nanomaterial analysis, ISO 17025 accredited and some COFRAC recognized. Our scientific team helps you choose the most appropriate method according to the matrix and regulatory requirements.

With our digital platform, you benefit from simplified analysis management: sample submission, service tracking, and centralized results retrieval. Since 2020, YesWeLab has supported numerous manufacturers, distributors, and research organizations in the evaluation and control of nanomaterials.