Microparticle

IUPAC definition

Particle with dimensions between 1 × 10−7 and 1 × 10−4 m.

Note 1: The lower limit between micro- and nano-sizing is still a matter of debate.

Note 2: To be consistent with the prefix “micro” and the range imposed by the definition,
dimensions of microparticles should be expressed in μm.[1]

Microparticles are particles between 0.1 and 100 μm in size. Commercially available microparticles are available in a wide variety of materials, including ceramics, glass, polymers, and metals.[2] Microparticles encountered in daily life include pollen, sand, dust, flour, and powdered sugar. The study of microparticles has been called micromeritics,[3] although this term is not very common.

Microparticles have a much larger surface-to-volume ratio than at the macroscale, and thus their behavior can be quite different. For example, metal microparticles can be explosive in air.

Microspheres are spherical microparticles,[4] and are used where consistent and predictable particle surface area is important.

In biological systems, a microparticle is synonymous with a microvesicle, a type of extracellular vesicle (EV).

  1. ^ Vert, Michel; Doi, Yoshiharu; Hellwich, Karl-Heinz; Hess, Michael; Hodge, Philip; Kubisa, Przemyslaw; Rinaudo, Marguerite; Schué, François (2012). "Terminology for biorelated polymers and applications (IUPAC Recommendations 2012)" (PDF). Pure and Applied Chemistry. 84 (2): 377–410. doi:10.1351/PAC-REC-10-12-04. S2CID 98107080.
  2. ^ "Solid Metal Microspheres - Stainless Steel and Titanium Spheres". www.cospheric.com. Retrieved 2019-05-07.
  3. ^ DallaValle, Joseph Marius (1948). Micromeritics: The Technology of Fine Particles. Pitman Publishing Corporation. ISBN 978-0-598-90271-9.
  4. ^ "Microspheres Online". Microspheres Online. Retrieved 2019-05-07.

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