Chemistry of Engineering Materials:

Nanomaterials:

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Preparation of nanomaterials by using gas phase synthesis:
 It is one of the important methods for the synthesis of nanomaterials, gas-phase synthesis
is gaining importance as they have certain advantages.
 The basic principle of all gas phase synthesis methods is the formation of molecular
nuclei, which is followed by condensation and coalescence
 All most all gas phase nanomaterial production methods involve the following 4
sequence of steps
1. Suspending the precursor material in the gas phase
2. Transforming the precursor material to small clusters
3. Enforcing the growth of these clusters to a nanoparticles
4. Method to collect the prepared nanoparticles
 The growth of small nuclei clusters to nanoparticles is referred as condensation and it
occurs only when the precursor vapour is supersaturated
 Condensation process can be driven by both physical and chemical methods

Method/Process:
 The gas-phase condensation method utilizes an inert gas, e.g., N2, Ar, at high pressures
to promote particle formation, but low enough to allow the formation of spherical
particles.
 Metal is introduced onto a heated element and is rapidly melted.
 The metal is quickly taken to temperatures far above the melting point, but less than the
boiling point to achieve the adequate vapor pressure.
 Gas is continuously introduced into the chamber and removed by pumps to move the
evaporated metal away from the hot element.

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 OR

(learn any one diagram whichever you feel convenient)

 As the gas cools the metal vapor, nanometer-sized particles are formed. These particles
are liquid as they are too hot.
 The liquid particles collide and coalesce in a controlled environment so that the
particles grow to specification, remaining spherical and with smooth surfaces.
 As the liquid particles are further cooled under control, they become solid and grow no
longer.
 At this stage, the nano-particles are very reactive, so they are coated with a material
that prevents further interaction with other particles or with other materials.
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Applications of nanomaterials:
1. Medicine
2. Catalysis
3. Environmental technologies
4. Electronics and related fields
5. Mechanics
6. Surface engineering
1. Medicine:
 Nanoparticles are used for the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases.
 Nanoparticles are used in medicine as drug carriers. Their larger surface area enables
them to load the drug on them and their small size helps them to transport these drugs
into the cells, nuclei and across the cell membranes.
 Nanoparticles can be coated on the drug.
 Nanoparticles can be filled in a cavity surrounded by a polymeric layer. They can be
filled in holes inside the nanoparticles.
 Biodegradable nanoparticles are used to carry antibiotics to the specific sites.

2. Catalysis:
 Nanoparticles have larger surface area, hence provide high catalytic activity, used in
catalysis such as Pd, Pt and Rh.
 The nanosize of these catalysts increases the reactive surface area.
 For example, bulk aluminium is used for making utensils but nano aluminium
becomes so reactive that it can be used as a solid fuel in rocket propulsion.
3. Environmetal technologies:
 Nanoparticles are widely used in controlling the environmental pollution.
 Nanoparticles are widely used in the internal combustion engines as catalytic
converters in the removal of pollutant gases as non pollutant gases.
 E.g., Nano Pt catalyst, Nano Rh catalyst in the presence of CO and Nano Pd catalyst are
used in various organic reactions.
4. Electronics and related fields:
 Nanomaterials are widely used in electronic circuits and their use drastically reduced
the size of the electronic gadgets, e.g. Television, radio, telephone, automobiles,
aeronautics, etc.
 Nanomaterials are extensively used in developing sensors and used as sensors due to
their high surface to volume ratio. These sensors are highly sensitive to changes in
physical, chemical, optical, electrical and magnetic properties and shows response to
even minute changes in the concentration of the species to be detected.
5. Mechanics: Nanoparticles are used to improve the performance of tyres and improve the
mechanical properties of ceramics and alloys.