Properties of Nanostructures: Data Acquisition, Categorization, and Evaluation

This article is devoted to general problems of development of reference data on properties of nanosized objects. It has been shown that the peculiar features of physical characteristics of nanostructures influence the behavior of an expert engaged in building the relevant computer database of property data. The building procedure includes comprehensive data systematization on the basis of classification of nanostructures and detailed identification of a nano-inherent object within the selected class. The key features of data on nanosized objects are discussed, including variation of property nomenclature, dimensional effects, and a high level of data uncertainty. The approaches to data systematization proposed in the article are considered in terms of ISO recommendations. Along with systematization, we propose a procedure for data certification taking into account a quantitative statement of uncertainty as well as quality indicators. The latter indications address the completeness of the description of both an object and a measurement method as well as the reproducibility of results. As an example, property data of carbon nanoforms (nanotubes, graphene, etc.) are analyzed