ABSTRACT
As discussed elsewhere in this book, the unique qualities and performance of nanoparticles as devices of drug delivery arise directly from their physicochemical properties. Hence, determining such characteristics is essential in achieving a mechanistic understanding of their behavior. A good understanding allows prediction of in vivo performance as well as allowing particle design, formulation development, and process troubleshooting to be carried out in a rational fashion. The following chapter will discuss the means and methods to carry out such determinations on nanoparticles. Many of the tools employed for their characterization are the same as those
PART II: NANOPARTICLE CHARACTERIZATION AND PROPERTIES
used for similar analysis of other submicrometer colloids such as micelles, liposomes, and emulsions. Thus, some of the examples are taken from studies in which these species were the focus of study.
