ABSTRACT
Since the mid-1980s, significant research efforts have been made to develop the techniques to synthesise nanoparticles [1,18,28,40]. As a result, a large number of synthesis methods are currently used on a laboratory scale (Chapter 3) [38]. However, the batch size of most of the laboratory scale synthesis is around 1 g. In some cases, 10-100 g per batch is possible and is regarded as large-scale synthesis in the laboratory [28], but such an amount is often too little for the commercial application of nanoparticles.To date, a few methods have been demonstrated to produce a wide range of nanoparticulate materials in large quantities, and those methods are evolving day by day. The process development for the commercial-scale production of nanoparticles goes through stages similar to standard product development processes, namely, proof-of-concept through proof-of-process (pilot plant), proof-
of-production (process parameter optimisation, HAZOP review, etc.) before full-scale production (Fig. 4.1). In some cases, small quantities of nanomaterials are sold by research organisations and the activity is called commercialisation. However, in general, the name “commercial product” can be used only after all the quality control protocols are in place, raw material supply is secured and the production volume (the supply of the product) is ensured. Strictly speaking, the products in the development stages should be called “engineering products” or “concept products”, instead of “commercial product”, even if they are sold commercially.
