NanoMaterials - an

overview

Dr . J . Hemalatha
Professor
Department of physics
National Institute of Technology
Tiruchirappalli
Natural Nano Materials
What is a Nano Material ?
• Material whose structural elements have dimensions
in 1 to 100 nm range clusters, crystallites, particles or molecules

One Billionth of a metre ( 10-9 m) = 0.000,000,000,1 m

Does Size really matter ????
• Carbon forms highly conductive compounds which are 400 times
stronger than steel

• Ceramics, composites and polymers provide lighter weight, greater

strength and over all better properties

Yes. It matters
much
• Gold and silver nanoparticles
show unique catalytic properties
• Silver becomes antimicrobial –
wound dressing
• Iron becomes flammable -
stronger & flexible
Why are Nanomaterials different ?
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1. Role of Surface Effects :

• Inter atomic distance changes

• more chemically reactive
• Surface to volume ratio increases
• Surface effects dominate
2. Role of Critical size :
• Critical size
• Below critical size, properties become size - dependent
• Number dependent

ρ,σ,k

• Critical size lies in nm scale

3a. Role of Quantum Tunneling :
3b. Role of Quantum Confinement :
4. Proximity Effects :
Surface Interactions - Interfacial interactions

Interaction is in the order of few nanometers

For nanomaterials this region be a significant part
So What ????
• Anisotropy increases
• Crystal structure
• Melting temperature
• Charge carrying capacity
• Electrical conductivity
• Chemical stability
• Chemical reactivity
• Functional properties
• Magnetic behavior
• Etc.
 Types of Nanomaterials

II. Based on the Number of dimensions

not confined to nanoscale

1. Zero-Dimensional (0-D)

I. Based on the Preparation 2. One-Dimensional (1-D)

3. Two-Dimensional (2-D)
1. Raw Nanomaterial
Synthesised as such 4. Three-Dimensional (3-D)

2. Structured Nanomaterials
Processed raw nanomaterials
3D Nanomaterials
• Materials possess a nanostructure

• 3-D nanomaterials can contain dispersions of nanoparticles,

bundles of nanowires, and nanotubes or multinanolayers
 Fullerene
1966- Jones- “All carbon” cage molecules
• 1986 - Dr. Richard E. Smalley and Dr. Robert F.
Curl Jr., Rice University
• jointly awarded the 1996 Nobel prize for chemistry

• buckyballs - sphere Robert F. Curl Jr.,

• Resistant to high speed collisions

• 20 hexagons & 12 pentagons

Buckminister Fuller & his geodesic dome

Geodesic dome
 C70, C90,
Fullerene

C20

fcc structure
Van der Waals’ forces
~ 1nm

Dr. J. Hemalatha, NITT 18

Unique Features of Fullerene
• Structural Perfection
• Reproducibility
• Accessibility to doping

chemically modified Fullerenes

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Dr. J. Hemalatha, NITT
Applications of Fullerene
• Anti Oxidants – free radicals
potential medicinal use:
-supplies electrons -neutralize
• antibiotics
• Drug Delivery
• Target bacteria/cancer
• Super Strong materials
cells
• Anti Aging , Anti wrinkle creams
• Artificial muscles
• Burn creams
• Injection needles
• Fuel cell membrane
• Light detector
• Hard coating in cds
Dr. J. Hemalatha, NITT 21
Carbon Nano Tubes
Quantum dots
Dendrimers

(I) An initiator core.

(ii) Interior layers (generations)

(iii) Exterior (terminal functionality)

~10nm

By: Dr. J. Hemalatha

Applications of Dendrimers

Applications
• solubilising agents
•pharmaceuticals
• Catalysts & enzymes
•drug delivery
• slow release agents for perfumes

• herbicides

• drugs.

•laser-printing toners

• MRI contrast agents

By: Dr. J. Hemalatha

 Nanocomposite
Materials made of more than one component
Different structure, properties etc.
Nano composites
Polyisoprene
Polyester Nabo Filler and matrix
Concrete 1. atleast one phase in nano scale

2. Solid Structures with nano scale distances

Bone
between different phases
Sea shell Clay – Nylon 6
Filler and matrix

By: Dr. J. Hemalatha 28

Synthesis of Nano materials
Bottom - Up Top –Down
Thermodynamic Approach • Milling
Kinetic Approach
• Repeated quenching

• Lithography
Characteristics of the product :
Identical size
Identical shape
Identical chemical composition &
structure
mono dispersed or no agglomeration
Top – down Method : Mechanical
Attrition
•  Grinder - - Grinding balls and Mill chamber

• stainless steel container (mill)

• many small balls ( iron, hardened steel, silicon
carbide, tungsten carbide) balls- various sizes

Types of Ball Milling

•        Attrition Ball Mill
Vertical agitator with horizontal arms
•       Planetary Ball Mill
Centrifugal forces by supporting discs
•      Vibrating Ball Mill
Agitation
•        Low Energy Tumbling Mill
Vertical rods
•        High Energy Ball Mill
 Bottom-up G
r G*
THERMODYNAMIC APPROACH:
Homogeneous Nucleation
c
 Super saturation

energy barrier G*
 new phase forms

nucleation
 growth
Heterogeneous nucleation
• Supersaturation
• New phase forms on the
surface of another
material
Kinetically confined synthesis

• Spatially confined growth

• Limited amount of source/space

• Microemulsion/micelle
 Chemical Vapour Deposition
• Nano wires, nanofilm, nanopowder

• Chemically reacting volatile compound – vapourised

With other gases

• Produce Non volatile solid

AB(g) → A(s) + B(g)

SiH4(g) → Si(s) + 2H2(g)

• Deposit atom by atom on a substrate

• Gas phase reactions and surface phase reactions

• The reaction gas distribution system

• Reaction chamber

• Substrate heating and monitoring system

• Vacuum pumps & pressure controllers

• Exhaust and reactant recycle system

CVD set up
Applications of CVD Method
• High Purity , less porosity

• Uniform thickness

• Low cost of operation

• Optoelectronic applications

• Semiconductor industry

• Coatings for wear resistant parts

Nano materials: Promises and
concerns
• Little knowledge about Long
term effects
• Nanotubes damage lungs of rats
• Clean abundent energy
and mice – huge dose
• Pollution free
• Buckyballs cause brain damage
• Defect free Materials
in fish – huge dose
• Safe and affordable Space travel
• perfect health
Bio medical Applications

 Targeted drug delivery

 Hyperthermia treatment

proposed artificial heart, cell labelling,

MRI contrast agent, bio sensors, etc.,
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Nanostructures: commercialized
• ArcticShield Socks
Chewy Chocolate
• permanent resistance
to odor and fungus

Nano – Tex pant

Stain Proof Fabric

Sport bat : CNT - resin

Pores
30,000 nm – 50,000 nm
Cosmetics C60 based

skin cells
THANKS FOR YOUR
ATTENTION !!!!
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