Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 15, 2013	Jun. 29, 2012
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	NANOPHASE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
Entity Central Index Key	0000883107
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2012
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Public Float			$ 4,783,726
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		28,468,162