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Introduction To Nano Materials
Introduction To Nano Materials
Introduction To Nano Materials
Although a broad definition, we categorise nanomaterials as those which have structured components with at least one
dimension less than 100nm.
Dimensions of nanomaterials
Materials that have one dimension in the nanoscale (and are extended in the other two dimensions) are layers, such as
graphene ᄃ, thin films or surface coatings. Some of the features on computer chips come in this category.
Materials that are nanoscale in two dimensions (and extended in one dimension) include nanowires ᄃ and nanotubes ᄃ.
Materials that are nanoscale in three dimensions are particles, for example precipitates, colloids and quantum dots ᄃ (tiny
particles of semiconductor materials). Nanocrystalline materials, made up of nanometer-sized grains, also fall into this
category.
Some of these materials have been available for some time; others are genuinely new. The aim of this chapter is to give
an overview of the properties, and the significant foreseeable applications of some key nanomaterials.
Properties of nanomaterials
In tandem with surface-area effects, quantum effects can begin to dominate the properties of matter as size is reduced to
the nanoscale. These can affect the optical, electrical and magnetic behaviour of materials, particularly as the structure or
particle size approaches the smaller end of the nanoscale. Materials that exploit these effects include quantum dots, and
quantum well lasers for optoelectronics.
For other materials such as crystalline solids, as the size of their structural components decreases, there is much greater
interface area within the material; this can greatly affect both mechanical and electrical properties.
For example, most metals are made up of small crystalline grains; the boundaries between the grain slow down or arrest
the propagation of defects when the material is stressed, thus giving it strength. If these grains can be made very small, or
even nanoscale in size, the interface area within the material greatly increases, which enhances its strength. For example,
nanocrystalline nickel is as strong as hardened steel.
Understanding surfaces and interfaces is a key challenge for those working on nanomaterials, and one where new
imaging and analysis instruments are vital.
materials
Graphene is an atomic-scale honeycomb lattice made of carbon atoms. Graphene is undoubtedly emerging as one of the
most promising nanomaterials because of its unique combination of superb properties, which opens a way for its
exploitation in a wide spectrum of applications ranging from electronics to optics, sensors, and biodevices.
For instance, graphene-based nanomaterials have many promising applications in energy-related areas. Just some recent
examples: Graphene improves both energy capacity and charge rate in rechargeable batteries; activated graphene makes
superior supercapacitors for energy storage; graphene electrodes may lead to a promising approach for making solar cells
that are inexpensive, lightweight and flexible; and multifunctional graphene mats are promising substrates for catalytic
systems (read more:graphene nanotechnology in energy ᄃ).
Watch a great introductory video on graphene:
We also compiled a primer on graphene applications and uses ᄃ . And don't forget to read our much more extensive
explainer What is graphene?ᄃ
The fascination with atomic-layer materials that has started with graphene has spurred researchers to look for other 2D
structures like for instance metal carbides and nitrides ᄃ.
One particularly interesting analogue to graphene would be 2D silicon – silicene ᄃ – because it could be synthesized and
processed using mature semiconductor techniques, and more easily integrated into existing electronics than graphene is
currently.
Another material of interest is 2D boron ᄃ, an element with worlds of unexplored potential. And yet another new two-
dimensional material – made up of layers of crystal known as molybdenum oxides ᄃ – has unique properties that
encourage the free flow of electrons at ultra-high speeds.
Classification of nanomaterials12
are defined as natural nanometer. As per examples virus, protein molecules including
antibody originated from nature are some natural nano structured materials. In
addition following are few examples, mineral such as clays,natural colloids, such as
milk and blood (liquid colloids), fog (aerosol type), gelatine (gel type),mineralised
natural materials, such as shells, corals and bones,Insect wings and opals,Spider
silk,Lotus leaf and similar(Nasturtium,). Gecko feet,volcanic ash, ocean spray etc
B.On the other hand according to the dimensions nanomaterials also can be
divided into zero dimensional, one dimensional, two dimensional and three
three directions. Metallic nanoparticles including gold and silver nanoparticles and
semiconductor such as quantam dots are the perfect example of this kind of
nanoparticles. Most of these nanoparticles are spherical in size and the diameter of
these particles will be in the1-50 nm range. Cubes and polygons shapes are also
nanorods, and nanotubes. These materials are long (several micrometer in length),
but with diameter of only a few nanometer. Nanowire and nanotubes of metals,
oxides and other materials are few examples of this kind of materials
the nanometer range. These include different kind of Nano films such as coatings
and thin-film-multilayers, nano sheets or nano-walls. The area of the nano films can
be large (several square micrometer),but the thickness is always in nano scale range
range. These include bulk materials composed of the individual blocks which are in
four types:
Carbon Based Nano materials: The nature of this kind of nanomaterials is hollow
nanotubes.
Metal Based Materials: The main component of these particles is metal. These
Composites: Nanocomposite can be described as a multiphase solid material where at least one of the phases has one,
two or three dimensions in nanoscale. The most common examples of these materials are colloids ᄃ , gels ᄃ and
copolymers ᄃ.
1.According to origin nanomaterials can be classified into natural and artificial nanomaterials.
2.On the basis of dimension nanomaterials can be classified into zero dimensional, one dimensional,
two dimensional and three dimensional forms.
3. Nanomaterial can be classified according to different structural configuration of the material like
carbon based nanomaterials, metal based nanomaterials etc