NT Chap-6

NANOSCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY [3170509]
Chapter 6: Applications of nanotechnology in chemical industry
❖ What is catalyst? Explain Why catalysis is important for chemical industries ?

➢ In simple words, substance which increases rate of chemical reaction is known as catalyst. Significant
virtue of catalyst is that it will neither consumed nor chemically altered by the end of chemical reaction.
➢ Catalysis is fundamental science, which is developing at the interface of chemistry, physics, biology,
and mathematics. Catalysis is one of the 12 principles of green chemistry.
➢ Catalytic processes form the fundamentals of modern chemical and petrochemical industries. In the
developed industrial countries catalytic processes create about 20% of the GDP.
➢ The successes of basic research in the field of catalysis have a direct effect on solving many
fundamental technological, environmental and social problems that face humanity:
1. The efficient utilization of raw materials (oil, natural gas etc.)
2. Development of new materials and chemicals
3. Development of systems for environmental protection.
4. Development of new sources of energy,
5. Development of new processes and technologies.
➢ By the use of catalysts in chemical reaction industries not only increases rate of reactions. Catalysis also
ensure:
⚫ Increase of selectivity
⚫ Minimizing waste
⚫ Reduces reaction time and energy demands
❖ What are the potential benefits of Nanocatalysis instead of conventional catalysis?

➢ Nanocatalysis is a rapidly growing field which involves the use of nanomaterials as catalysts for a
variety of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis applications. Heterogeneous catalysis represents
one of the oldest commercial practices of nanoscience; nanoparticles of metals, semiconductors, oxides,
and other compounds have been widely used for important chemical reactions.
➢ A key objective of nanocatalysis is to produce catalysts with 100% selectivity, extremely high activity,
low energy consumption, and long lifetime. This can be achieved only by precisely controlling the size,
shape, spatial distribution, surface composition and electronic structure, and thermal and chemical
stability of the individual nanocomponents.
➢ The field of nanocatalysis (the use of nanoparticles to catalyze reactions) has undergone an explosive
growth during the past decade, both in homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis. Since nanoparticles
have a large surface-to-volume ratio compared to bulk materials, they are attractive candidates for use
as catalysts.
Prepared by: Mr. Akash K. Dave Assistant Professor, LJIET
Page 1
➢ Nano catalysts have combined advantages of both the homogeneous and heterogeneous catalytic
systems.
➢ Increased selectivity and activity of catalysts by controlling pore size and particle characteristics, Nano
catalysts system allows the rapid, selective chemical transformation with excellent product yield
coupled with the ease of catalyst separation and recovery.
➢ Replacement of precious metal catalysts by catalysts tailored at the nanoscale and use of base metals,
thus improving chemical reactivity and reducing process cost. Recovery of catalysts from the system is
most important characteristics of any catalyst before being acceptable for manufacturing processes in
industry.
➢ Catalytic membranes by design that can remove unwanted molecules from gases or liquids by
controlling the pore size and membrane characteristics.
➢ Characteristic of Nano-sized scale (high surface area) the contact between reactants and catalyst
increases dramatically. (for homogeneous catalysis)
➢ Insolubility in the reaction solvent makes the catalyst heterogeneous and hence can be separated out
easily from the reaction mixture. (for heterogeneous system)
❖ What are the Intrinsic properties of Nano-materials that are helping them to be
attractive candidates for catalysts?
➢ Properties which are depending on Composition and Oxidation state effects of Nano-materials,
⚫ Band gap
⚫ Band Structure
⚫ Mechanical properties
⚫ Magnetic properties
➢ Properties which are depending on Shape, Size and Inter-particle distance effect of Nano-materials,
⚫ Lattice parameters
⚫ Atomic density
⚫ Binding energy
➢ Properties which are depending on Support and Confinement effect of Nano-materials,
⚫ Activation energy
⚫ Phase transition

Page 2
❖ Discuss merits-demerits of Heterogeneous and Homogeneous conventional catalyst

and state merits of Nano-catalysts?
➢ Homogeneous catalysts:
⚫ Merits:
➢ High activity
➢ High chemo-and region selectivity
⚫ Demerits:
➢ Production purification costlier and complex
➢ Separation takes extra efforts
➢ Heterogeneous catalysts:
⚫ Merits:
➢ Excellent stability
➢ Easy accessibility
➢ Easily separable
⚫ Demerits:
➢ Requires more reaction time as compared to homogeneous catalysis
➢ Dead zone can be form in absence of enough turbulance
➢ Nano-catalysts:
⚫ Merits:
➢ High activity
➢ High selectivity
➢ Excellent stability
➢ Easily separable
➢ Energy efficient
➢ Atom economy

Page 3
❖ Difference between Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Nano catalysts:
Homogeneous Nano catalysts Heterogeneous Nano catalysts

➢ A solution or suspension of nanoparticles in a ➢ Catalyst, which is in different phase to the
solvent i.e. catalyst is in same phase to the reactants.
reactants.
➢ It is a must to consider how to prevent its ➢ It is always considered as more environmentally

aggregation when designing a Nano-catalyst for friendly catalysis due to its high recoverability.
use in a solution.
➢ Nanoparticles have a special characteristics to ➢ Ease of recovery. The heterogeneous catalyst

aggregate and will clump together to form larger usually a solid or immobilized solid inert
particles, if it is not prevented properly, Nano material.
particles lose their large surface are and other
characteristics by forming large particle.
➢ High Selectivity ➢ Low Selectivity
➢ High adaptability ➢ Low adaptability
➢ Low thermic and pressure stability ➢ High thermic pressure and stability
➢ Easy control on mixing and concentration ➢ Difficult control on mixing and concentration
➢ Shorter life and requires extensive step of ➢ Longer life and requires economical step of
recovery recovery

Page 4
❖ Enlist types of nano catalysts along with characteristics.

⚫ Characteristics of Nano-catalyst:
➢ Larger surface area
➢ High catalytic activity
➢ Prone to agglomeration
➢ Natural and Synthetic
➢ Broad range of applications in compare to conventional
➢ Adsorbent
➢ Range of possible physio-chemical processes
➢ Wide range of applications due to intrinsic proporties
⚫ Types of Nano-catalysts:
1. Carbonic: Carbon black, Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), Buckyball, Graphene, Graphites, Carbon,
Fullerenes, Composite CNTs
2. Metals and Oxides: Aluminium, Iron, Silver, Cobalt, Gold, Titanium dioxide, Silicon dioxide, Zinc
oxides, Aluminium oxides, Iron oside, Cesium oxide
3. Other: Bentonite clay, Quantum dots
4. Nano wires and Nanocomposites
5. Nanoporous materials

Page 5
❖ What are the benefits and potential sectors of the Nano-catalysts?

⚫ Benefits of Nano-catalysts:
➢ Energy efficient reactions, reducing utility cost and operational cost
➢ Generation of minimum chemical waste due to lesser amount of it’s use
➢ Reducing global warming by using 12 principles of green chemistry
➢ Can be used in generation of super reagents
➢ Improving economy by enhancing efficiency of the reactions
⚫ Potential sectors of Nano-catalysts:
➢ Bio diesel production
➢ Water purification along with wastewater treatment
➢ Fuel cell applications
➢ Solid rocket propellants
➢ Thin film solar cells
➢ Nano-toxicology studies
➢ Photo-voltaic activities
➢ Drug delivery and Site specific targeting
➢ Environmental protection

Page 6
❖ Describe Applications of Nano-catalysis in Biomass sector.

⚫ Nanno-catalysis can be used in Biomass gasification to produce high syn gas and biomass pyrolysis
for production of bio-oil.
➢ Catalyst used for Biomass sector: Nano NiO catalyst supported on γ- Al2O3 microspheres of 3 mm size
(greater than 99% purity can be achieved)
➢ Process Improvements:
➢ Novel Al2O3 supported NiO catalyst reduces tar yield significantly and increases tar removal efficiency
to 99%
➢ Significant increase in gas yield
➢ Lighter fractions of H2 & CO are increased in the syn gas composition while heavier fractions of CH4
& CO are reduced, thus improving syn gas quality
⚫ Nanno-catalysis can be used in Production of biodiesel from waste cooking oil.
➢ Catalyst: Aluminium dodeca-tungsto-phosphate (Al0.9H0.3PW12O40) nanotubes as solid catalysts with

surface area of 278 m2/g
➢ Esterification of fatty acids (FFAs) and transesterification of triglycerides to biodiesel in one pot
➢ Solid acid nanocatalysis of Al0.9H0.3PW12O40 nanotubes with double acid sites yield 96% of biodiesel
from waste cooking oil as compared to 42.6% with conventional H3PW12O40 catalyst.

Page 7
❖ Describe Applications of Nano-catalysis in Oil,gases and Fossil fuel sector.

⚫ Nanno-catalysis can be used in Green diesel production using Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis (FTS)
➢ Catalyst: Nano Fe and Co powders (10-50 nm) are used as FTS catalysts in slurry reactors, promoted
by other metals like Mn, Cu & alkalis and Multi-walled carbon nanofilaments (MWCNF) with the iron
carbide content rendering catalytic activity
➢ Minimize liquid-solid diffusion resistance
➢ Improving the FTS technology for production of high molecular weight waxes, followed by their
hydrocracking to generate liquid fuels
➢ Improved efficiency of slurry and fixed-bed reactors, used in FTS from biosyngas
➢ Produce long, linear-chain paraffin waxes in fixed bed & slurry FTS reactors
⚫ Nano-catalysis can be also used in Paraffin Dehydrogenation, Naphtha Reforming, Selective

Hydrogenation, Hydrodesufurization.
➢ Catalyst: Hexanethiol monolayer protected Palladium clusters < 1.5 nm
➢ 50 ppm addition of catalyst reduces the ignition temperature required to initiate combustion by about
240°C.
➢ Improved economic catalytic combustion using hydrocarbon fuel soluble Nano catalyst
⚫ Nano-catalysis can be also used in Adsorptive desulfurization and bio desulfurization of fossil oils
➢ Catalyst: Nano γ- Al2O3 (10 nm in width and 100-200 nm in length) with specific surface area of 339
m2/g
➢ In situ coupling desulfurization using assembly of nano adsorbents (nano γ- Al2O3)

Page 8
❖ Describe Applications of Nano-catalysis in Fuel cell sector.
⚫ Nano-catalysis can be also used in Core-shell nanocatalysts production for fuel cell applications.
➢ Catalyst: Smooth and compact Pt shell for better oxygen reduction reactions in fuel cell applications
➢ Pt atoms are placed at the surface of other metal nanoparticles creating composite nano material having
effective selectivity and improvement in its functions.
➢ All the Pt atoms are available for catalytic reactions at the surface
➢ Pt clusters on ruthenium nanoparticles produce high activity per unit of Pt mass resulting higher
efficient fuel cell.
⚫ Nano-catalysis can be also used In situ hydrogen production by reaction of ammonia and nanocatalysts
➢ Catalyst: The dissociation catalyst is a mixture of nanometer size particles of Co-NiO-Cu-Zr catalyst
deposited on high surface area of TiO2 and 2% Pt deposited on alumina particles
➢ Ammonia is stored as a coordination complex with a transition metal compound in solid composition
➢ It acts as the hydrogen fuel precursor for a vehicle internal combustion engine that is operated to use
hydrogen or a combination of hydrogen and gasoline as fuel
➢ Ammonia dissociation catalyst tube containing a catalyst bed and maintained at 750°C is used to
dissociate ammonia into nitrogen and hydrogen atoms.

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❖ Discuss about photo catalytic activities and its application with respect to
Nanotechnology.
➢ TiO2 is regarded as the most efficient and environmentally benign photo-catalyst and has been most
widely used for photo-degradation of various harmful substances mainly consisted by the wastewater
stream.
➢ TiO2 photo-catalysts can also be used to kill bacteria, as has been carried out with E. coli suspensions.
The strong oxidizing power of illuminated TiO2 can be used to kill tumor cells in cancer treatment.
➢ Before discussing regarding photo catalytic activities one has to understand mechanism of photo-
degradation reactions. After absorption of photons with energy larger than the band gap of TiO2 on the
surface of nano catalyst, electrons are excited from the valence band to the conduction band, creating
electron- hole pairs. These charge carriers migrate to the surface and react with the chemicals adsorbed
on the surface to decompose these chemicals.
➢ The photocatalytic activity of a semiconductor is largely controlled by:
1. The light absorption properties, e.g., light absorption spectrum and coefficient
2. Reduction and oxidation rates on the surface by the electron and hole, and
3. The electron-hole recombination rate.
➢ Large surface area with constant surface density of adsorbents leads to faster surface photo-catalytic
reaction rates. In this sense, the larger the specific surface area, the higher the photo-catalytic activity is.
On the other hand, the surface is a defective site, therefore the larger the surface area, the faster the
recombination.
➢ Nano-catalysts can give all favorable virtues which are necessary for enhancing the photo-catalytic
activities for degradation of harmful substances.

Page 10
❖ Discuss about drug delivery in medical sector and its application with respect to
Nanotechnology.
➢ Treatment that employs large size material for drug delivery presents problems such as poor bio-
viability, low solubility, a lack of targeted delivery and generalized side effects. The application of
nanotechnology for drug delivery provides the potential for enhanced treatments with targeted delivery
and fewer side effects.
➢ Applying nanotechnology to drug delivery should achieve the following benefits:
1. Improve the ability to deliver drugs that are poorly water soluble and due to that efficiency of that drug
can be enhanced.
2. Provide site-specific targeting to reduce drug accumulation within healthy tissue. This will leads to
fewer side effects as compared to conventional drug which needed in higher quantity as compared to
site-specific targeted drug.
3. Help to retain the drug in the body long enough for effective treatment.
4. The extension of drug bio-activity through protection from the biological environment.
5. Allow for the transportation of drugs across cell barriers.
6. Combine therapeutic and diagnostic modalities into one agent.
➢ Despite potential benefits, research is only just beginning into the many issues surrounding beneficial
ways to utilize nanomaterials for drug delivery. A particularly interesting problem, for example,
surrounds the way various nanoparticle types and forms might interact with other cells, including the
macrophage cells that play a fundamental role in the body’s immune system by attacking foreign
substances.
➢ Notable Nano-drug delivers as below:

Page 11
❖ Discuss about limitations with conventional drugs and How nano-scale materials
can help in drug delivery in medical sector.
➢ Drug delivery involves transporting drugs to specific targeted sites within the body, a fundamental task
in medicine and health; this has long been a huge area of development and research. Treatment that
employs large size materials (conventional) for drug delivery presents problems such as poor bio-
viability, low solubility, a lack of targeted delivery and generalized side effects.
➢ The application of nanotechnology for drug delivery provides the potential for enhanced treatments with
targeted delivery and fewer side effects. Nanomaterials promise to play a significant role in new
delivery systems because of the fictionalization possibilities associated with their particle types, size and
distribution, surface areas and charges, and other characteristics.
➢ Very small nanoparticles are thought to be less likely to cause blockages in even the smallest vessels
and also less likely to exhibit a form of sedimentation. Penetration is easier, Nanomaterials can also be
used primarily as carrier vehicles.
➢ Current, delivery systems are well developed, and include oral, nasal, intravenous, pulmonary, and
mucousal administration.
➢ Some peptides and proteins, for example, degrade in a biological environment, which in turn limits their
efficacy. Each year many new drugs are developed that are not water-soluble. This restricts their use
because delivery to targeted locations is difficult and their bio-availability is limited. One hope is that
when these drugs are in nanoparticle form, they can be delivered more readily without degrading and
that their bio-availability will be increased.
➢ Polymeric coatings are particularly interesting. They hold the promise of being able to deliver drugs to
specified sites and aid in controlled releases upon target triggering mechanisms.
➢ Nano coatings can allow the use of largely insoluble drugs or potentially ones with greater activity or
even toxicity. Coatings that have been explored can be quite thin—only several nanometers thick.
➢ Nanoparticles can potentially be designed to be biodegradable and biocompatible and more stable
within a biological environment; they may well prove effective as bioactive macromolecule carriers.
➢ Polymer-based nanoparticles, such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) coated polylactic acid (PLA)
nanoparticles, are a particularly Interesting area of study for protein delivery. The PEG coating can help
transport the encapsulated protein within and across intestinal or nasal mucosae. Chemical stability is
improved. Nanoparticulate drug conjugates hold promise for improved insulin delivery.

Page 12
❖ Discuss about Nano-sensors and applications in various sectors.

➢ Nanosensors are platforms with a characteristic dimension - nanometer in scale, and work in much the
same way as a sensor; they detect either particle traces or quantities of something.
➢ Nanosensors are chemical or mechanical sensors that can be used to detect the presence of chemical
species and particles, or monitor physical parameters such as temperature, on the nanoscale.
⚫ Nanosensors are used for various applications as mentioned below:
➢ To detect various chemicals in gases for pollution monitoring.
➢ For medical diagnostic purposes either as blood-borne sensors or in lab-on-a-chip type devices.
➢ To monitor physical parameters such as temperature, displacement and flow rates.
➢ As accelerometer in devices like airbag sensors in car industries.
➢ To monitor plant signaling and metabolism to understand plant biology
➢ To study neurotransmitters in brain for understanding neurophysiology
⚫ Nanosensors typically work by monitoring electrical changes in the sensor materials.
➢ For example, carbon nanotube-based sensors work in this way. When a molecule of nitrogen dioxide
(NO2) is present, it will strip an electron from the nanotube, which in turn causes the nanotube to be less
conductive.
➢ If ammonia (NO3) is present, it reacts with water vapor and donates an electron to the carbon nanotube,
making it more conductive.

Page 13
❖ Discuss about Nano-Coating and applications in various sectors.
➢ The term “nanocoating” refers to nanoscale (i.e. with a thickness of a few tens to a few hundreds of
nanometers) thin-films that are applied to surfaces in order create or improve a material's functionalities
such as corrosion protection, water and ice protection, friction reduction, anti-fouling and antibacterial
properties, self-cleaning, heat and radiation resistance, and thermal management.
➢ Nano-coatings offer significant benefits for applications in the aerospace, defense, medical, marine, and
oil industries, have driven manufacturers to incorporate multi-functional coatings in their products.
➢ Nano-coating can be categorized based on their applications:
1. Anti-corrosion applications
2. Anti-friction and tribology applications
3. Antibacterial nanocoating
4. Self-cleaning, dirt and water repellent nanocoating
⚫ Self-cleaning, dirt and water repellent nanocoating:
➢ A surface is not simply the physical division between an object and its environment; it fulfils a range of
functions of its own which often play a crucial part in product design. Surfaces are supposed to feel
good to the touch and to look good for as long as possible, be easy to maintain and not be spoiled by
dirt, water stains or fingermarks.
➢ Nanocoating also have been developed to protect buildings against pollution or to impregnate fabrics.
⚫ Antibacterial nanocoating:
➢ Developing strategies to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria is a major application area for nanocoating.
For instance, researchers have coated nanoparticles with a layer of antibiotics. Owing to chemical
affinity, the resulting Nano pharmaceutical acts only on the pathogens and is inert to the organism.
➢ Antibiotic-releasing nanofibers has the potential to better prevent at least some serious bacterial
infections related to total joint replacement surgery.

Page 14
⚫ Anti-corrosion applications:
➢ Given the huge economic incentives, corrosion prevention and protection is a major business. The
advanced materials that are being developed and used in modern industries require increasingly
sophisticated coatings for improved performance and durability. Some research features graphene as a
promising novel surface coating that can be used to minimize metallic corrosion under harsh microbial
conditions.
➢ Other scientists have developed self-healing anticorrosion nanocoating as alternative to toxic chromium.
⚫ Anti-friction and tribology applications:
➢ Tribologists – scientists who study friction, wear, and lubrication – are using graphene and other carbon
nanomaterials to fabricate low-friction surfaces.
➢ Historically, the use of Teflon (the anti-stick coating you find in many pans and pots) in bearings has
been limited due to a poor wear life and low adhesion to bearing components. Novel thin, low-friction
nanoparticle coating eliminates these weaknesses.
❖ Discuss about Nano-composite polymers and applications in various sectors.

➢ A polymer nanocomposite is simply a composite in which manufacturers combine a polymer matrix
(which could be thermosetting or thermoplastic) with some kind of nanomaterial. In keeping with
conventional polymer composites, there may also be some other form of conventional fiber
reinforcement (such as woven carbon fiber) included.
➢ In making polymer nanocomposites, the aim is to take these exceptional properties and impart them on
to a “standard” material. More specifically, we want to take a very small amount of the nanomaterial
(because it will typically be expensive, and because adding large amounts may cause processing
difficulties) and use it to significantly enhance the properties of a bulk material without a significant
increase in weight.
➢ In doing so, there is the opportunity to open up new, more demanding applications for polymer
composites with significantly enhanced functionality.
➢ Polymer nanocomposites are important for the automotive tire industry due to the possibility of
achieving a higher fuel efficiency by designing polymer nanocomposites with suitable properties.
➢ The most common type of filler particles utilized by the tire industry had traditionally been Carbon
black (CB), produced from the incomplete combustion of coal tar and ethylene. The main reason is that
the addition of CB to rubbers enables the manufacturing of tires of a smaller rolling resistance which
accounts for about 4% of the worldwide CO2 emissions from fossil fuels. A decrease in the rolling
resistance of the car tires produced worldwide is anticipated to decrease the overall fuel consumption of
cars due to the fact that a vehicle with tires of a smaller rolling resistance requires less energy to thrust
forward.

Page 15
➢ Polymer nanocomposites aided with carbon quantum dots have been found to show remarkable heat
resistance. These nanocomposites can be used in environments where heat resistance is a requirement.
➢ Applications of Polymer Nanocomposites: Automobiles, Aerospace, Injection Molded Products,

Coatings, Adhesives, Fire-retardants, Packaging Materials, Microelectronic Packaging, Optical
Integrated Circuits, Drug Delivery, Sensors, Membranes, Medical Devices, Consumer Goods, etc.
❖ Discuss about dendrimers and applications in various sectors.

➢ Dendrimers are Nano-sized, radially symmetric molecules with well-defined, homogeneous, and mono-
disperse structure that has a typically symmetric core, an inner shell, and an outer shell.
➢ Their three traditional macromolecular architectural classes are broadly recognized to generate rather
poly-disperse products of different molecular weights.
➢ A variety of dendrimers exist, and each has biological properties such as poly-valency, self-assembling,
electrostatic interactions, chemical stability, low cytotoxicity, and solubility.

Page 16
➢ These varied characteristics make dendrimers a good choice in the medical field.
➢ Dendritic polymers have advantage in biomedical applications. These dendritic polymers are
analogous to protein, enzymes, and viruses, and are easily functionalized. Dendrimers and other
molecules can either be attached to the periphery or can be encapsulated in their interior voids.
➢ The most promising potential of dendrimers is in their possibility to perform controlled and specified
drug delivery, which regards the topic of nanomedicine. One of the most fundamental problems that
are set toward modern medicine is to improve properties of drugs for cancer. Dendrimers can help in it
with its unique properties and greater fictionalized.
➢ Dendrimers are expected to have potential applications in enhancing solubility for drug delivery
systems. Dendrimers have hydrophilic exteriors and interiors, which are responsible for its
unimolecular micelle nature. Dendrimer-based carriers offer the opportunity to enhance the oral
bioavailability of problematic drugs. Thus, dendrimer Nano carriers offer the potential to enhance the
bioavailability of drugs that are poorly soluble.
➢ Dendrimers can be used in vaccine development, diereses diagnosis, as drug carriers, for therapy
purposes, as solubility enhancer, for sensing mechanisms etc.
❖ Discuss about Nano-inks/dyes and applications in various sectors.

➢ Inks with Nano-particles and structures can be used in most printing processes including printed
electronics.
➢ Inkjet printing is a type of computer printing that recreates a digital image by propelling droplets of ink
onto paper and plastic substrates. Inkjet printers are the most commonly used type of printer, and range
from small inexpensive consumer models to expensive professional machines.
➢ Inkjet inks require small particles in their formulation especially for dyes and pigments, and thus
benefits greatly from nanotechnology. Researchers state that the inkjet printing technology is growing
side by side with the development of nanomaterials.
➢ Nano materials that have been inkjet printed are also used for photochromic and electrochromic visual
effects and markers, flame retardants, conductive graphite and metals, antimicrobials, magnetic
materials, enzymes and other biomaterials and liquid crystals.
➢ Nanomaterials are printed on a range of substrates for making labels and tags, luminescent displays
using organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), flexible batteries, sensors and solar energy cells.
➢ Nanomaterials in both traditional and inkjet inks are being used for anti-counterfeiting, security, and
brand protection purposes.
➢ Exfoliated nanocomposite of silicates in a polymer solution can be printed as a barrier coating for
products such as foodstuffs. it helps to reduce oxygen transmissions levels than other traditional
packaging barrier materials, and provides excellent barrier properties.

Page 17
❖ Discuss about and Block copolymer nanostructures and applications in various

sectors.
➢ Nanotechnology is the field which deals with fabrication of materials with dimensions in the nanometer
range by manipulating atoms and molecules.
➢ Recent advancements in nanotechnology have enabled the usage of block copolymers for the synthesis
of such nanostructures. Block copolymers are versatile polymers with unique properties and come in
many types and shapes. Their properties are highly dependent on the blocks of the copolymers, thus
allowing easy tunability of its properties.
➢ Block copolymers nanostructures (BCPNs) is a special type of block copolymers with one dimension
within the domains vary from 10 nm to 100 nm and might be controlled by ever-changing the general
relative molecular mass of the macromolecule.
➢ Block copolymers (BCP) are comprised of at least two different, immiscible polymers that are
covalently linked. These materials evolve spontaneously in organized structures with domains of
nanometer size.
➢ With dependence on the ratio of each polymer, BCPs are able to form lamellae, cylinders, spheres, or
more complicated structures. They have been demonstrated to be of broad importance in
nanotechnological applications in several different fields, including nanostructured membranes, BCP
templates for nanoparticle synthesis, photonic crystals, high-density information storage media and
nanomedicine. Their applicability to nanotechnology stems from the scale of the microdomains and the
convenient tunability of size, shape, periodicity and properties afforded by changing their molecular
parameters
➢ Block copolymer nanostructures (BCPNs) are smart, intelligent and environment sensitive
nanostructures designed to respond, in a controlled manner to an external stimulus. BCPNs are being
extensively utilized in pharmaceutical field, nanotechnology and in forensics.
➢ Recent analysis in block copolymers nanostructures suggests that they will be helpful in making self-
constructing materials with potential utility in semiconductor arrays.

Page 18
❖ What is Nano-fluid, its potential applications?

➢ A nanofluid is a fluid containing nanometer-sized particles, called nanoparticles. These fluids are
engineered colloidal suspensions of nanoparticles in a base fluid. The nanoparticles used in
nanofluids are typically made of metals, oxides, carbides, or carbon nanotubes. Common base fluids
include water, ethylene glycol and oil.
➢ Nanofluids have novel properties that make them potentially useful in many applications in heat
transfer, including microelectronics, fuel cells, pharmaceutical processes, and hybrid-powered
engines, engine cooling/vehicle thermal management, domestic refrigerator, chiller, heat exchanger,
in grinding, machining and in boiler flue gas temperature reduction. They exhibit enhanced thermal
conductivity and the convective heat transfer coefficient compared to the base fluid.
➢ Nanofluids are primarily used for their enhanced thermal properties as coolants in heat transfer
equipment such as heat exchangers, electronic cooling system (such as flat plate) and radiators. they
are also useful for their controlled optical properties.
➢ Graphene based nanofluid has been found to enhance Polymerase chain reaction efficiency.
➢ Nanofluids in solar collectors is another application where nanofluids are employed for their tunable
optical properties. Nanofluids have also been explored to enhance thermal desalination technologies,
by altering thermal conductivity and absorbing sunlight.
➢ Many researches claim that nanoparticles can be used to enhance crude oil recovery. It is evident that
development of nanofluids for oil and gas industry has a great practical aspect.
➢ Another word used to describe nanoparticle-based suspensions is Nano lubricants. They are mainly
prepared using oils used for engine and machine lubrication
❖ Discuss about carbon nanotubes along with its types.

➢ Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are best described as a seamless cylindrical hollow fiber, comprised of a
single sheet of pure graphite, having a diameter of 0.7 to 50 nanometers with lengths.
➢ These nanotubes have diameters of few nanometers and their lengths are up to several microns.
➢ Each nanotube is made up of a hexagonal network of covalently bonded atoms.
➢ In short words CNTs are long, thin hollow cylindrical tubes of carbon in Nano scale.

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❖ Discuss about carbon nanotubes (CNTs) applications in various sector.

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NANOSCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY [3170509]

Chapter 6: Applications of nanotechnology in chemical industry

❖ What is catalyst? Explain Why catalysis is important for chemical industries ?

1. The efficient utilization of raw materials (oil, natural gas etc.)

2. Development of new materials and chemicals

3. Development of systems for environmental protection.

4. Development of new sources of energy,

5. Development of new processes and technologies.

⚫ Reduces reaction time and energy demands

❖ What are the potential benefits of Nanocatalysis instead of conventional catalysis?

➢ Properties which are depending on Support and Confinement effect of Nano-materials,

Prepared by: Mr. Akash K. Dave Assistant Professor, LJIET

❖ Discuss merits-demerits of Heterogeneous and Homogeneous conventional catalyst

➢ High chemo-and region selectivity

➢ Production purification costlier and complex

➢ Separation takes extra efforts

➢ Requires more reaction time as compared to homogeneous catalysis

➢ Dead zone can be form in absence of enough turbulance

Prepared by: Mr. Akash K. Dave Assistant Professor, LJIET

❖ Difference between Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Nano catalysts:

Homogeneous Nano catalysts Heterogeneous Nano catalysts

➢ It is a must to consider how to prevent its ➢ It is always considered as more environmentally

➢ Nanoparticles have a special characteristics to ➢ Ease of recovery. The heterogeneous catalyst

➢ High Selectivity ➢ Low Selectivity

➢ High adaptability ➢ Low adaptability

Prepared by: Mr. Akash K. Dave Assistant Professor, LJIET

❖ Enlist types of nano catalysts along with characteristics.

➢ Larger surface area

➢ High catalytic activity

➢ Natural and Synthetic

➢ Broad range of applications in compare to conventional

➢ Range of possible physio-chemical processes

➢ Wide range of applications due to intrinsic proporties

3. Other: Bentonite clay, Quantum dots

4. Nano wires and Nanocomposites

Prepared by: Mr. Akash K. Dave Assistant Professor, LJIET

❖ What are the benefits and potential sectors of the Nano-catalysts?

➢ Energy efficient reactions, reducing utility cost and operational cost

➢ Generation of minimum chemical waste due to lesser amount of it’s use

➢ Reducing global warming by using 12 principles of green chemistry

➢ Can be used in generation of super reagents

➢ Improving economy by enhancing efficiency of the reactions

⚫ Potential sectors of Nano-catalysts:

➢ Bio diesel production

➢ Water purification along with wastewater treatment

➢ Fuel cell applications

➢ Solid rocket propellants

➢ Thin film solar cells

➢ Drug delivery and Site specific targeting

Prepared by: Mr. Akash K. Dave Assistant Professor, LJIET

❖ Describe Applications of Nano-catalysis in Biomass sector.

➢ Significant increase in gas yield

⚫ Nanno-catalysis can be used in Production of biodiesel from waste cooking oil.

➢ Catalyst: Aluminium dodeca-tungsto-phosphate (Al0.9H0.3PW12O40) nanotubes as solid catalysts with

Prepared by: Mr. Akash K. Dave Assistant Professor, LJIET

❖ Describe Applications of Nano-catalysis in Oil,gases and Fossil fuel sector.

➢ Minimize liquid-solid diffusion resistance

⚫ Nano-catalysis can be also used in Paraffin Dehydrogenation, Naphtha Reforming, Selective

➢ Catalyst: Hexanethiol monolayer protected Palladium clusters < 1.5 nm