BatStateU - The National Engineering University

CHAPTER 3 TOPICS TOPICS - D

A. SOLIDS
The Chemistry of B. METALS • Introduction to Nanotechnology

ENGINEERING MATERIALS C. POLYMERS and Nanomaterials

• Properties and Applications of
D. NANOMATERIALS
Nanomaterials

Rhoda Pangan-Montalbo

• Nanotechnology is the general term for designing and

making anything whose use depends on specific structure
at the nanoscale – generally taken as being 100
nanometers or less. It includes devices or systems made by
NANOMATERIALS manipulating individual atoms or molecules, as well as
materials which contain very small structures.
• Aggregated nanomaterials also need to be assessed in
this light as they may exhibit properties that are similar to
those of the single nanoparticles, especially when they
have an unusually large surface area for a given amount
of material.
GREEK WORD
“NANOS” = dwarf
What is a nanomaterial?
• Any physical substance with structural dimensions
between 1-100nm
• chemical substances or materials that are manufactured
and used at a very small scale.
• Nanomaterials are developed to exhibit novel
characteristics compared to the same material without
nanoscale features, such as increased strength, chemical
reactivity or conductivity.

Nanomaterials examples: SMOKE

How small is small?
• Ultrafine particles : materials generated as PARTICLE • Nanomaterials are typically between 0.1 and 100
incidental by-products of combustion processes : 1000nm nanometres (nm) in size
volcanic ash; soot from forest fires ü1 nm = 10-9 m (one billionth of a meter)
ü1nm = 10 Å Angstrom
üAverage atom size : 1-2 Å
• Engineered nanomaterials: intentionally produced üAverage width of a human hair is 100,000 nm
and designed with physico-chemical properties for HAIR STRAND üSingle particle of smoke is 1000 nm
a specific purpose or function 100,000 nm
A gold jewelry or a gold coin is
normally gold in color, but its nanosize
differs in color; Bulk gold and Pt are
non-magnetic, but at the nano size
they are magnetic

Color of any material depends on their

interaction of light Melting point of bulk material does not depend on its size, usually it
has a fixed melting point
Light interaction of materials depends on the
size and shapes Nanoscale: the smaller the nanoparticle, the lower the melting point

Nanomaterial shapes Examples of Nanomaterials

SIZE AND SHAPE ØOne dimension: surface coatings, thin films,
computer chips

MATTER IN ØTwo dimensions: strands or fiber, nanowires and

nanotubes

NANOPARTICLE
ØThree dimension: nanoparticles, precipitates,
colloids, quantum dots

vThey can exist in single or fused forms with

spherical, tubular, and irregular shapes
 Where are nanomaterials found?
• Sunscreens; cosmetics • Food: UV-blocking
(nano titanium dioxide) nanocoating on glass bottles
• Dental fillings (nanoscale which protect beverages
silica) from damage by sunlight
• sporting goods (longer- • stain-resistant clothing
lasting tennis balls using • Tires
butyl-rubber/nano-clay
composites) • Electronics
• medicine for purposes of
diagnosis, imaging and
drug delivery

Two main approaches are

NANOTECHNOLOGY used in nanotechnology
• Nanotechnology refers broadly to a field of • In the "top-down" approach,
nano-objects are constructed
applied science and technology whose from larger entities without
unifying theme is the control of matter on the atomic-level control.
molecular level in scales smaller than 1
• In the "bottom-up" approach,
micrometer, normally 1 to 100 nanometers, materials and devices are built
and the fabrication of devices within that size from molecular components
range. which assemble themselves
chemically by principles of
molecular recognition.

Why Nanomaterials? Bulk materials vs. NANOmaterials

• Nanotechnology exploits benefits of ultra
small size, enabling the use of particles to
deliver range of important benefits
üSmall particles are invisible: transparent
coatings/films
üSmall particles are very weight efficient: surfaces
can be modified with minimal material
• Increased relative surface area Disadvantages of Nanomaterials
üDecrease in particle size, greater proportion of atoms in the
surface:
• Instability of the particles
30nm à 5% of atoms in its surface
10nm à 20% of atoms in its surface • Impurity
3nm à 50% of atoms in its surface • Biologically harmful
• Quantum effects • Recycling and disposal
üQuantum confinement is responsible for the increase of energy
difference between energy states and band gap
üSmall materials deviate substantially compared to bulk materials.
Ø instability of particles : rapid kinetics
Ø Impurity - Because nanoparticles are highly reactive,
they inherently interact with impurities as well
Ø Biologically harmful – Nano materials are usually
considered harmful as they become transparent to -END-
the cell-dermis. Toxicity of Nano materials also appears THANKS FOR LISTENING!
predominant owing to their high surface area and
enhanced surface activity.
Ø Recycling and disposal - There are no hard and fast
safe disposal policies evolved for Nano materials.
Issues of their toxicity are still under question