REFLECTION – MEFC 116

NANOMATERIALS

The reporter reported about the Nanomaterials, the reporter specifies that
Nanomaterials are typically defined as materials with at least one exterior dimension
of 100 nanometers or less, or internal structures of 100 nm or less. They can take the
shape of particles, tubes, rods, or fibers. Also, they indicated that Nanomaterials with
the same composition as known materials in bulk form may have different
physicochemical properties and behave differently if they reach the body. As a result,
they may provide a variety of potential dangers.

The reporters also discussed about the types of nanomaterials which are the
nanoparticles, nanofibers, nanotubes and nanorods. Within the nanoscale,
nanoparticles have all three dimensions. A nanocomposite is made up of several
nanoparticles. Because nanoparticles are small enough to confine their electrons, they
frequently exhibit unexpected visual properties, resulting in quantum effects that alter
how they appear to the human eye. In the nanoscale, a nanofiber has two dimensions.
Nanofibers are generally characterized as cylindrical structures having an outside
diameter less than 1,000nm and an aspect ratio more than 50 (the ratio of length to
breadth). Nanotubes are hollow nanofibers, whereas nanorods are solid materials. A
rod of material with a few nanometers of thickness or diameter "these nanorods are
about 10,000 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair."

The also discussed about the advantages, disadvantages, purpose, application,

and importance of nanomaterials. Nanomaterials have increased demand in industries
due to their small size, high porosity, cost-effectiveness, accuracy, large surface-to-
volume ratio, and ductility although, Nanomaterials are toxic, unstable, and difficult
to recycle, leading to pulmonary fibrosis. The application of nanomaterials that
discussed were Tougher and Harder Cutting Tools, Automobile with Great Fuel
Efficiency, Aerospace Components with Enhanced Performance Characteristics,
Ductile Ceramics, and Better Insulation Materials. Nanomaterials have a high surface
area to volume ratio, allowing for more efficient use of the same quantity of material.
They can also be combined with bulk materials or molecules to create complex
systems for catalysis or environmental sensing. Most nanoscale materials are too
small to be seen with the naked eye.

In conclusion nanotechnology is a growing science that is creating new and

novel tools to combat water, air, and soil pollution. To make nanomaterials more
helpful for biosensing, environmental remediation, illness detection, and other
applications, they are being functionalized with organic and inorganic components.

Figures:

Figure 1: Nanoparticles

Figure 2: Nanofibers
Figure 3: Carbon Nanotube

Figure 4: Gold Nanorod

References:

Nanoparticle. (n.d.). Encyclopedia Britannica.

https://www.britannica.com/science/nanoparticle
Podmore, L. (2021, December 8). Needleless Electrospinning of nanofibers.
AZoM.com. https://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=21059
Trafton, A. (2020, April 15). Carbon nanotubes embedded in leaves detect chemical
signals that are produced when a plant is damaged. Phys.org - News and
Articles on Science and Technology. https://phys.org/news/2020-04-carbon-
nanotubes-embedded-chemical.html
Wei, W., Bai, F., & Fan, H. (2019, March 26). Oriented Gold Nanorod Arrays: Self-
Assembly and Optoelectronic Applications. Wiley Online Library.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/anie.201902620