LECTURE 4

Nanoparticles (NPs)

 The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) defines

nanoparticles as nano-objects with all external dimensions in the
nanoscale, where the lengths of the longest and the shortest axes of
the nano-object do not differ significantly.

 If the dimensions differ significantly (typically by more than three

times), terms such as nanofibers or nanoplates maybe preferred to
the term NPs.
NPs can be of different shapes, sizes, and structures.

They can be spherical, cylindrical, conical, hollow core, etc., or

irregular.

The size of NPs can be anywhere from 1 to 100 nm.

If the size of NPs gets lower than 1 nm, the term atom clusters is
usually preferred.

Atom clusters : in the physics and chemistry communities, the term

“clusters” is typically used to describe an aggregate of atoms or
molecules.
 NPs can be uniform, or can be composed of several layers.

The layers often are:

(A) The surface layer, which usually consists of a variety of small molecules,
metal ions, surfactants, or polymers.

(B) The shell layer, which is made of a chemically different material from the
core layer.

(C)The core layer, which is the central portion of the NP.

Carbon-based NPs

This class consist of NPs that are made solely from carbon atoms.
Famous examples of this class are:

Carbon quantum dots

Carbon black NPs
Fullerenes
Carbon black NPs:
Carbon black (CB) is a quasi-graphitic form of almost pure
elemental carbon, which is produced commercially under
controlled conditions from incomplete combustion of aromatic
hydrocarbons at a high temperature. The synthetic process
generates a wide variety of particles with different
characteristics of particle size, surface area, structure, and
surface chemistry, which are important with regard to the
current CB applications.

CB as pigments or nanofillers has given rise to interesting areas

of research.

Moreover, its electrical conductivity, and easy functionalization

make it one of the most common materials used for improving
different industrial products and compounds in several areas.
 Carbon black nanoparticles have a wide range of applications due to their unique properties,
including :
 high surface area,
 electrical conductivity,
 and light-absorbing abilities.

Some of the key applications of carbon black nanoparticles include:

1.Reinforcement in Rubber Products: Carbon black is commonly used as a reinforcing filler

in rubber products, such as tires, to improve their mechanical properties, such as tensile
strength, abrasion resistance, and durability.

2. Conductive Materials: Carbon black nanoparticles are added to polymers and composites
to enhance their electrical conductivity.

3. Ink and Pigments: Carbon black is used as a black pigment in inks, coatings, and paints
due to its light-absorbing properties. It is also used in carbon paper and carbon copy paper.

4. Battery Electrodes: Carbon black is used as a conductive additive in the cathodes and
anodes of various types of batteries, including lithium-ion batteries, to enhance their
performance and conductivity.
5- Polymer Composites: Carbon black is incorporated into polymer
composites to enhance their mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties.

6-Environmental Applications: Carbon black is used in environmental

applications, such as air and water purification, due to its adsorption capabilities
for contaminants and pollutants.

7-Fuel Cells: Carbon black nanoparticles can be used in fuel cell electrodes to
improve electrical conductivity and catalytic activity.
 Particle, aggregate and agglomerate:-

CB exhibits hierarchy morphological features:

(i) particles (that is, primary particles), (ii) aggregates, and (iii) agglomerates, as
shown in Figure.

Even though the fundamental building block is based on primary particles, they
tend to strongly linked by covalent bonds forming aggregates. Thereafter,
individual aggregates get together by van der Waals forces to form agglomerates.

 CB are grape-like aggregates of highly fused spherical particles