NANOMATERIALS AND NANOPARTICLES
The properties of materials can be altered by modifying and engineering materials on the nanoscale.
The nanoscale is larger than the atomic scale, but is too small to be seen with the naked eye.
Examples of materials engineered on the nanoscale are- microchips containing nanoscale transistors, LEDs, some sunscreens.
THE NANOSCALE
The prefix nano- refers to one billionth or 10^-9 in scientific notation.
The nanoscale is used to describe objects that are about 1-100nm wide.
NANOMATERIALS
These materials can have different properties to those of the same material.
Ie. Carbon can form nanotubes which are nothing like soft powdery charcoal, they are strong like diamond and conduct electricity like graphite. They are also flexible and have a high tensile strength.
Can be formed by:
•Bottom-up method- nanoparticles built up from smaller atoms or molecules.
•Top-down method- broken down into smaller pieces until the size of the nanoscale.
Nanotechnology is the use of technologies that manipulate and investigate the properties of materials on the nanoscale.
NANOPARTICLES
•Nanoparticles are usually spherical particles with a diameter from 1- 100nm.
•An important property of nanoparticles is their large surface area compared to their volume.
•The large surface area of nanoparticles is important as it provides:
1. A large surface area for reactions with catalysts.
2. A large surface area for molecules to be absorbed and then transported.
APPLICATIONS OF NANOPARTICLES
•Sunscreens
•Designer drugs
•Stain free clothing
•Non-porous glass
CONCERNS ABOUT NANOPARTICLES
•Nanoparticles can transport particles through the air and into the human body- safety concerns for human health and the environment.
•Regulations are being developed to address the potential risks of nanoparticles.
The properties of materials can be altered by modifying and engineering materials on the nanoscale.
The nanoscale is larger than the atomic scale, but is too small to be seen with the naked eye.
Examples of materials engineered on the nanoscale are- microchips containing nanoscale transistors, LEDs, some sunscreens.
THE NANOSCALE
The prefix nano- refers to one billionth or 10^-9 in scientific notation.
The nanoscale is used to describe objects that are about 1-100nm wide.
NANOMATERIALS
These materials can have different properties to those of the same material.
Ie. Carbon can form nanotubes which are nothing like soft powdery charcoal, they are strong like diamond and conduct electricity like graphite. They are also flexible and have a high tensile strength.
Can be formed by:
•Bottom-up method- nanoparticles built up from smaller atoms or molecules.
•Top-down method- broken down into smaller pieces until the size of the nanoscale.
Nanotechnology is the use of technologies that manipulate and investigate the properties of materials on the nanoscale.
NANOPARTICLES
•Nanoparticles are usually spherical particles with a diameter from 1- 100nm.
•An important property of nanoparticles is their large surface area compared to their volume.
•The large surface area of nanoparticles is important as it provides:
1. A large surface area for reactions with catalysts.
2. A large surface area for molecules to be absorbed and then transported.
APPLICATIONS OF NANOPARTICLES
•Sunscreens
•Designer drugs
•Stain free clothing
•Non-porous glass
CONCERNS ABOUT NANOPARTICLES
•Nanoparticles can transport particles through the air and into the human body- safety concerns for human health and the environment.
•Regulations are being developed to address the potential risks of nanoparticles.