This article needs additional citations for verification. (August 2013) |
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).