Overview
ISO/TS 21236-1:2019 - "Nanotechnologies - Clay nanomaterials - Part 1" specifies which characteristics of layered clay nanomaterials (powder and chemically modified forms) should be measured and how to report those measurements. The technical specification covers fundamental and optional physical and chemical characteristics and describes relevant measurement methods. It explicitly does not address health, safety or environmental aspects.
Key topics and requirements
This standard defines terms and measurement guidance for a comprehensive set of material characteristics, including:
- Chemical composition and mineral composition
- Interlayer distance (gallery thickness + sheet thickness)
- Thickness, aspect ratio and sheet dimensions
- Bulk density, tap density and moisture content
- Specific surface area (e.g., BET-style determinations referenced) and total surface area
- Cation exchange capacity, methylene blue adsorption capacity
- Loss on ignition, water absorption capacity
- Brightness, colour, cohesion coefficient
- Film formability, electrical resistivity, modifier type (e.g., organoclay)
- Reporting structure (general information, measurement results, example table formats)
The document also provides definitions (e.g., layered clay nanomaterial, organoclay, exfoliated/intercalated clay) and suggests measurement methods and instrumentation commonly used in characterization (AFM, FESEM, FTIR, ICP-MS/OES are noted in abbreviated terms).
Practical applications
ISO/TS 21236-1 is intended to standardize how layered clay nanomaterials are characterized for downstream uses such as:
- Nanocomposites (polymer-clay composites for improved barrier, mechanical and flame-retardant properties)
- Coatings and paper fillers (brightness, ink absorption)
- Catalysts, adsorbents and purification media (cation exchange capacity, surface area)
- Rheology modifiers, drilling fluids, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and environmental remediation
Standardized measurement and reporting help suppliers and buyers compare materials, support quality control, and guide formulation and materials selection.
Who should use this standard
- Manufacturers and suppliers of layered clay nanomaterials (including organoclays)
- Quality control and testing laboratories characterizing powders and modified clays
- Materials scientists and R&D teams developing nanocomposites or clay-based products
- Procurement specialists and product developers requiring consistent specification data
Related standards
Using ISO/TS 21236-1 supports consistent, comparable characterization of layered clay nanomaterials - improving communication between sellers and buyers and enabling reliable material selection for industrial and research applications.