Nanotechnologies have been regarded as general-purpose, and interdisciplinary technology converged with different implications of technologies. This paper aims to explore the global Nano collaboration of research and development (R&D) by patent analysis to realize the sustainable development of nanotechnology and investigate the influence of global R&D collaboration on patent quality. The primary findings indicated that the number of issued patents grew sharply since 2002, and the major

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... ative fields in terms of nanotechnology are nanoelectronic and nanomaterials. Finally, the collaboration among star assigners, global partnership, and the indicator of patent centrality had a positive impact on patent quality, except that university-industry collaboration did not show a significant effect on patent quality. One part of the reason is that industries have not yet fully recognised nanotechnology opportunities with a risk-averse attitude toward market uncertainties. Overall, the relationship of global R&D collaboration is an essential factor in promoting the sustainable development of the patent quality of nanotechnology. An effective patenting strategy and high-quality application of nanotechnology R&D could secure protection for innovations to reinforce core competitiveness in the business.