Nanometrology

Methods and protocols are described when using fluorescence metrology to determine the average nanoparticle (np) size in colloids in the range of 1–10 nm. The technique is based on determining the rotational correlation time of the np from the decay of fluorescence anisotropy of a dye that is electrostatically or covalently attached to the np as it undergoes Brownian rotation. The np size is then calculated from the Stokes–Einstein equation. The exemplar of silica nps is presented, but the approach can also be applied to other types of nps.