<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000933430-12-000003.txt : 20120316
<SEC-HEADER>0000933430-12-000003.hdr.sgml : 20120316
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20120316160932
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000933430-12-000003
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20120314
FILED AS OF DATE:		20120316
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20120316

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WHITMORE BRADFORD T
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000933430
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			IL
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-22333
		FILM NUMBER:		12697795

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1560 SHERMAN AVE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 900
		CITY:			EVANSTON
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60201

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NANOPHASE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000883107
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MISCELLANEOUS PRIMARY METAL PRODUCTS [3390]
		IRS NUMBER:				363687863
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			IL
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		453 COMMERCE ST
		CITY:			BURR RIDGE
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60521
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6303231200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		453 COMMERCE STREET
		CITY:			BURR RIDGE
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60521
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0304</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2012-03-14</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000883107</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NANOPHASE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NANX</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000933430</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>WHITMORE BRADFORD T</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1560 SHERMAN AVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 900</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>EVANSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60201</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2012-03-14</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1152002</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0.38</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2507029</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2012-03-14</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1152002</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0.38</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2421918</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>*</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">As a result of the transaction reported herein, Bradford T. Whitmore directly owns 2,507,029 shares of Common Stock.  Bradford T. Whitmore is also an indirect beneficial owner, as General Partner of Grace Brothers, Ltd. of 2,421,918 shares, and General Partner of Grace Investments, Ltd., of 300,000 shares.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Bradford T. Whitmore purchased 1,152,002 shares from Grace Brothers, Ltd. in a private transaction.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Bradford T. Whitmore</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2012-03-16</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
