IMPORTANT QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

CY3151- ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY

UNIT-II

NANOCHEMISTRY

Basics: Distinction between molecules, nanomaterials and bulk materials; Size-dependent

properties (optical, electrical, mechanical and magnetic); Types of nanomaterials:
Definition, properties and uses of- nanoparticle, nanocluster, nanorod, nanowire and
nanotube. Preparation of nanomaterials: sol-gel, solvothermal, laser ablation, chemical
vapour deposition, electrochemical deposition and electrospinning. Applications of
nanomaterials in medicine, agriculture, energy, electronics and catalysis.

1. Distinguish between molecules, nanomaterials and bulk material? (8 Marks) (April/May

2016, 2018, 2019) (Nov/Dec 2017)

DISTINCTION BETWEEN NANOPARTICLES, MOLECULES AND BULK MATERIALS

 The size of Nano particles are less than 100 nm in diameter, molecules are in the
range of picometers, but bulk materials are larger in micron size.
 Molecule is a collection of atoms, nanoparticles are collection of few molecules that is
less than 100 nm but bulk materials contains thousands of molecules.
 Hardness of nanomaterials is 5 times more than the bulk materials.
 Surface area of nanoparticles is more than the bulk materials.
 Strength of nanomaterials is 3 - 10 times higher than the bulk materials.
 Nanoparticles possesses size dependent properties, but bulk materials possess
constant physical properties.
 Corrosion resistance is more than the bulk materials, hence localized corrosion in
Nano materials is stopped.
 Behavior of bulk materials can be changed, but cannot enter inside the Nano
particles.
 Nanoparticles, due to its size, possess unexpected optical properties.
Examples:
1. Gold nanoparticles appear deep red to black colour in solution compared
to yellow colour with Gold.
2. ZnO nanoparticles possesses superior UV blocking property compared to bulk
material.

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 3. Absorption of solar radiation in photovoltaic cell containing nanoparticles are
higher than the film (bulk material).
 Nanoparticles possesses lower melting point than the bulk materials.
Example:
1. Gold nanoparticles melt at lower temperature (300 0C) for 2.5nm,but Gold slab
melts at 1064OC.
 Sintering of nanoparticles takes place at lower temperature and in short time than
the bulk materials.
 Suspension of nanoparticles is possible, because nanoparticles possess high surface
area, but bulk materials cannot.
 The wear resistance of nanoparticles are 170 times higher than the bulk materials.
 Electrical properties, resistivity of nanoparticles are increased by 3 times.

Size-dependent properties nanoparticles

1. Explain size dependent properties of Nano materials? (8 Marks)(Nov/Dec 2016),

(April/May 2018) (Nov/Dec 2018)
2. Write four types of properties of nanomaterials (May/June 2016)

Size-dependent properties nanoparticles

Nearly all the properties as shown in following figure like hardness, strength,
ductility, melting point and density, change for Nanomaterials. These behaviors vary so
significantly by a mere reduction in grain size.

Figure Shows how different properties change in the Nano-materials

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  Nanomaterials are composed of grains and grain boundaries. Nanometer sized grains
contains only a few thousands of atoms within each grain.
 Many atoms reside at the grain boundaries.
 As the grain size decreases, there is a significant increase in the volume fraction of
grain boundaries or interfaces.
 The properties of the materials are bound to be governed to a large extent by defect
configurations.Hence the mechanical and chemical properties of nanomaterials are
significantly altered due to defect dynamics.
 The elastic property of nanomaterials is different from that of bulk alloys due to the
presence of increased fraction of defects
1. Nano crystalline ceramics are tougher and stronger than those with coarse grains.
2. Nano-sized metals exhibit significant decrease in toughness and yield strength
increase

Properties of Nano-materials
Melting points:
Nano-materials have a significantly lower melting point and appreciable reduced lattice
constants. This is due to huge fraction of surface atoms in the total amount of atoms.
Optical properties:
 Reduction of material dimensions has pronounced effects on the optical properties.
Optical properties of Nanomaterials are different from bulk forms.
 The change in optical properties is caused by two factors, i) The quantum
confinement of electrons within the Nanoparticles increases the energy level spacing.
 Example: The optical absorption peak of a semiconductor Nanoparticles shifts to a
short wavelength due to an increased band gap.
 ii) Surface plasma resonance, which is due to smaller size of Nanoparticles than the
wavelength of incident radiation.
 Example: The colour of metallic nanoparticles may change with their sizes due to
surface plasma resonance.
Magnetic properties:
Magnetic properties of Nano materials are different from that of bulk materials.
Ferro-magnetic behaviour of bulk materials disappear, when the particle size is reduced and
transfers to super-paramagnetic. This is due to the huge surface area.
Mechanical properties:
 The Nano-materials have less defects compared to bulk materials, which increases
the mechanical strength.

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  Mechanical properties of polymeric materials can be increased by the addition of
Nano-fillers.
 As Nano-materials are stronger, harder and more wear resistant and corrosion
resistant, they are used in spark plugs.
 Nano-crystalline carbides are much stronger, harder and wear resistant and are used
in micro drills.
Electrical properties:
 Electrical conductivity decreases with a reduced dimension due to increased surface
scattering. However it can be increased, due to better ordering in micro-structure.
Polymeric fibers
 Nano-crystalline materials are used as very good separator plates in batteries,
because they can hold more energy than the bulk materials. Nickel-metal hydride
batteries made of nanocrystalline nickel and metal hydride, require far less frequent
recharging and last much longer.
Chemical properties:
Any heat treatment increases the diffusion of impurities, structural defects and
dislocations and can be easily push them to the nearby surface. Increased perfection will
have increased chemical properties.
Thermal conductivity:
Thermal conductivity of the nanomaterials are lower than the bulk materials because of
energy gap between valance band and conduction band is high.

Types of Nanomaterials
1. What are nanomaterials?
2. Define nanowires? (Nov/Dec 2016)(April/May 2019) (2 Marks)
3. Define Nano-technology?
4. What is meant by Nano-chemistry? (April/May 2018) (2 Marks)
5. Write short notes on nanoclusters and nano wires? (May/June 2016)(Nov/Dec
2017) (2 Marks)
6. What are Nano rods? (May/June 2016) (2 Marks)
7. Define magic number?
8. Define laser ablation? (Nov/Dec 2019)
9. Differentiate the terms nanorods and nanowires? (April/May 2018) (2 Marks)
10. Define Nanotubes? Give example
11. Define carbon Nano tubes and mention their types?
12. Give two difference between bulk and nanomaterials?

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13. Write uses of nanoclusters?
14. What are carbon Nano tubes? (April/May 2017)(Nov/Dec 2017) (2 Marks)
15. Write the methods of synthesizing carbon nanotubes? (Nov/Dec 2016) (Nov/Dec
2017) (Nov/Dec 2019)(8 Marks)
16. Write in brief about the types of carbon nanotubes?
17. Write a note on CNTs and their properties? (Nov/Dec 2018)
18. What are applications of carbon nano tubes? (Nov/Dec 2017) (2 Marks)
19. Write an explanatory note on nanoclusters, nanorods and CNTs? (April/May
2019) (8 Marks)
20. Explain in detail about the strength of the CNT? (April/May 2017)(8 Marks)

Defintion of Nanomaterials
Nano materials are the materials having components with size less than 100nm at
least in one dimension.Eg: Nanotubes, Nano rodsetc.

Definistion of nanowires
Nano-wire is one dimensional cylindrical solid material having an aspect ratio i.e.,
length to width ratio greater than 20. Diameter of the nanowire ranges from 10-100 nm.
Nano-wires are also referred to as “quantum wires”.Examples:Metallic nanowires: Au, Ni, Pt;
Nano-wires of Semiconductors: InP, Si, GaN; Nano-wires of insulators: SiO2, TiO2; Molecular
nanowires: DNA.

Defintion of Nanotechnology
Nano-technology is the design, fabrication, characterization and applications of
materials at Nano- level (1-100nm) and converting them into useful devices.

Definition of Nanochemistry
Nano-chemistry is the branch of Nano-science, which deals with the chemical
applications of nanomaterials. It also includes the study of synthesis and characterization of
nanomaterials.

Definition of nanoclusters
Nanoclusters are fine aggregates of atoms or molecules. The size of which ranges
from 0.1 to 10 nm. Of all the Nano materials, nanoclusters are the smallest sized Nano
materials because of their close packing arrangement of atoms.
Examples: CdS, ZnO, etc.,

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Definition of Nano rods?
Nano-rod is one dimensional cylindrical solid material having an aspect ratio i.e.,
length to width ratio less than 20.Examples: Zinc oxide, cadmium sulphide, Gallium nitride
Nano rods

Definition of magic number

It is the number of atoms in the clusters of critical sizes with higher stability.

Definition of laser ablation

In laser ablation, high-power laser pulse is used to evaporate the matter from the
target. The stoichiometry of the material is preserved in the interaction. The total mass
ablated from the target per laser pulse is referred to as the ablation rate.

Uses of Nano rods.

1. It find application in display technologies.
2. Nano rods is used in cancer therapeutics

Definition of Nanotubes with examples

Nanotubes are tube like structures with diameter of 1- 100 nm and a length of few
nm to microns. Nanotubes consists of tiny cylinders of carbon and other materials like
boron nitride. Nanotubes may be organic (or) inorganic.
Examples:
1. Carbon nanotube
2. Silicon nanotube
3. DNA nanotube

Definition of carbon Nanotubes and their types

Carbon nanotubes is a tubular form of carbon with 1-3 nm diameter and length of
few nm to microns
Two types of CNTs are formed.
1. Single - walled nanotubes (SWNTs).
2. Multi – Walled nanotubes (MWNTs)

Difference between bulk and nanomaterials

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Nano Particles Bulk Particles
Size is less than 100 nm Size larger than micron size
Collection of few molecules Collection of thousands of molecules
Large surface area Small surface area
Strength and hardness are more Strength and hardness are less

Uses of nanoclusters
1. Nanoclusters are used as catalyst in many reactions.
2. It is used in Nano based chemical sensors.

Carbon nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes are allotropes of carbon with a nanostructure having a length-to-

diameter ratio greater than 1,000,000. When graphite sheets are rolled into a cylinder, their
edges joined and form carbon nanotubes i.e., carbon nanotubes are extended tubes of rolled
graphite sheets. Nanotubes naturally align themselves into “ropes” and held together by
vanderwaals forces. But each carbon atoms in the carbon nanotubes are linked by the
covalent bond.

Carbon nanotubes are lattice of carbon atoms, in which each carbon is covalently bonded to
three other carbon atoms. Depending upon the way in which graphite sheets are rolled, two
types of CNTs are formed.

Single walled carbon Nano tubes

Types of carbon nanotubes:

1. Single - walled nanotubes (SWNTs).
2. Multi – Walled nanotubes (MWNTs)

1. Single - walled nanotubes (SWNTs)

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 SWNTs consist of one tube of graphite. It is one-atom thick having a diameter of 2 nm
and a length of 100 µm. SWNTs are very important, because they exhibit important
electrical properties. It is an excellent conductor. Three kinds of nanotubes are resulted,
based on the orientation of the hexagon lattice.

(a) Arm-chair structures: The lines of hexagons are parallel to the axis of the nanotube.
(b) Zig-zag structures: The lines of carbon bonds are down the center.
(c) Chiral nanotubes: It exhibits twist or spiral around the nanotubes.
It has been confirmed that arm-chair carbon nanotubes are metallic while zig-zag and chiral
nanotubes are semiconducting.

2. Multi - walled nanotubes (MWNTs)

MWNTs (nested nanotubes) consist of multiple layers of graphite rolled in on themselves to
form a tube shape. It exhibits both metallic and semiconducting properties. It is used for
storing fuels such as hydrogen and methane.

Synthesis of carbon nanotubes:

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Carbon nanotubes can be synthesized by any one of the following methods.
 Pyrolysis of hydrocarbon.
 Carbon arc method
 Chemical vapour deposition
 Laser evaporation
Pyrolysis of hydrocarbon: Carbon nanotubes are synthesized by the pyrolysis of
hydrocarbons such as acetylene at about 700oC in the presence of Fe-silica or Fe-graphite
catalyst under inert conditions.
Carbon arc method: It is carried out by applying direct current (60-100A and 20-25 V)
between graphite electrodes of 10-20µm diameter.
Chemical vapour deposition: It involves decomposition of vapour of hydrocarbons
such as methane, acetylene, ethylene, etc., at high temperatures (1100 oC) in presence of
metal nanoparticle catalysts like nickel, cobalt, iron supported on MgO or Al 2O3. Carbon
atoms produced by the decomposition condense on a cooler surface of the catalyst.
Laser evaporation: It involves vaporization of graphite target, containing small amount of
cobalt and nickel, by exposing it to an intense pulsed laser beam at higher temperature
(1200oC) in a quartz tube reactor. An inert gas such as argon is simultaneously allowed to
pass into the reactor to sweep the evaporated carbon atoms from the furnace to the colder
copper collector, on which they condense as carbon nanotubes.
Properties of CNTs:
 CNTs are very strong, withstand extreme strain in tension and possess elastic
flexibility.
 The atoms in a Nano-tube are continuously vibrating back and forth.
 It is highly conducting and behaves like metallic or semiconducting materials.
 It has very high thermal conductivity and kinetic properties.

Applications of CNTs:
 It is used in battery technology and industries as catalyst.
 It is also used as light weight shielding materials for protecting electronic
equipments.
 CNTs are used effectively inside the body for drug delivery.
 It is used in composites, ICs.
 It also acts as an efficient catalyst for some chemical reactions.
 It acts as a very good biosensor. Due to its chemical inertness carbon nanotubes are
used to detect many molecules present in the blood.
 It is also used in water softening process as a filter.

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Uses of carbon Nano tubes
Uses of Carbon Nano tubes
1. It is used in storage devices.
2. It is used as catalyst.
3. It is used as protective shields.

List of four Nano-materials.

1. CarbonNanotubes 2.Nanowire 3.Quantumdots 4.Dendrimers.

What are nanowires:

 Nanowire is one dimensional cylindrical solid material having an aspect ratio i.e.,
length to width ratio greater than 20.
 Diameter of the nanowire ranges from 10-100 nm. Nanowires are also referred to as
“quantum wires”.
 Examples: Different types of nanowires
 Metallic nanowires: Au, Ni, Pt; Nanowires of semiconductors: InP, Si, GaN; Nanowires
of insulators: SiO2, TiO2; Molecular nanowires: DNA

Synthesis of Nanowires:
Template-assisted synthesis: Template assisted synthesis of nanowires is simple way to
fabricate nanostructures. These templates contain very small cylindrical pores or voids
within the host material and the empty spaces are filled with the chosen material to form
nanowires. Examples for templates: Alumina, Nano-channel glass, mica films.
VLS method: It involves the absorption of the source material from the gas phase into a
liquid droplet of catalyst. Upon super saturation of the liquid alloy, a nucleation event
generates a solid precipitate of the source material. This seed serves as a preferred site for
further deposition of material at the interface of the liquid droplet, promoting the
elongation of the seed into a nanowire.
Properties of Nano-wires:
 Nano wires are one dimensional material.
 Conductivity of a nanowire is less than that of the corresponding bulk materials.
 It exhibits distinct optical, chemical, thermal and electrical properties.
 Silicon Nano wires show a strong photoluminescence characteristics.
Application of Nano-wires:
 Preparation of active electronic components such as p-n junction and logic gates.

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  Used to enhance the mechanical properties of composites.
 Semiconductor nanowire crossings are expected to play a important role in future of
digital computing.
 Nanowires find applications in high-density data storage either as magnetic read
heads or as patterned storage media.
 Nanowires replace conventional copper wires used in computers, televisions.
 It is also used to link tiny components into very small circuits.

Nano-rods:
Nano-rod is one dimensional cylindrical solid material having an aspect ratio i.e.,
length to width ratio less than 20.
Examples: Zinc oxide, cadmium sulphide, Gallium nitride Nano rods
Synthesis: Nano-rods are produced by direct chemical synthesis. A combination of ligands
acts as shape control agents and bond to different facets of the Nano-rods with different
strength.
This allows different Nano rods to grow at different rates producing an elongated object.
Many of the above Nano rods are not manufactured due to lack of commercial demand.

Properties of Nano-rods:
 Nano-rods are three-dimensional materials.
 It also exhibits optical and electrical properties.
Applications:
 It find application in display technologies.
 It also used in the manufacturing of micro mechanical switches.
 Nano rods are used in an applied electric field, micro electromechanical systems.
 Nano rods along with noble metal nanoparticles function as the agnostic agents.
 They are used in energy harvesting and light emitting devices.
 Nano rods have used as cancer therapeutics.

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Nano-Cluster:
Nanoclusters are fine aggregates of atoms or molecules. The size of which ranges
from 0.1 to 10 nm. Of all the Nano materials, nanoclusters are the smallest sized Nano
materials because of their close packing arrangement of atoms.
Examples: CdS, ZnO, etc.,
All the atoms, in nanocluster, are bound by forces like metallic, covalent, ionic,
hydrogen bond or Vander Waals force in character. Clusters of certain critical size (clusters
with a certain number of atoms in the group) are more stable than others. Nanoclusters
consisting of up to a couple of hundred atoms, but larger aggregates containing 103 or more
atoms are called nanoparticles.
Magic number: Magic number is the number of atoms present in the clusters of critical
sizes with higher stability.
Different types of clusters can be distinguished by the nature of the force between the
atoms. Clusters containing a transition metal atoms have unique chemical, electronic and
magnetic properties, which vary with the number of constituent atoms, the type of element
and the charge on the cluster.
Production of Nano-clusters: Nanoclusters can be produced from atomic or molecular
constituents or from the bulk materials either by bottom up or top down process as shown
in the figure.,

Atomic clusters or molecular clusters are formed by nucleation of atoms or molecules

respectively.
Properties of nanoclusters:
 The reactivity of nanoclusters are decreased due to their decrease in size.
 The melting point of nanoclusters are lower than the bulk materials due to high
surface to volume ratio.
 The electronic structure of the nanocluster is more confined than the bulk materials.
Applications of nanoclusters:
 Nanoclusters are used as catalyst in many reactions.

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  It is used in Nano based chemical sensors.
 It is also used as a light emitting diode in quantum computers

Preparation of nanomaterials

1. Write the preparation of Nano materials by Sol-gel process and Electro spinning
methods.
2. What is the basic principle involved in solvothermal synthesis of nanoparticles?
3. Explain the Nanoparticles synthesis by CVD method with diagram? (April/May
2019) (8 Marks)
4. List out the advantages of electrodeposition method?
5. Explain the Nanoparticles synthesis by laser ablation method? (May/June 2016)(8
Marks)
6. How Nano particles are used in Water treatment?
7. What is Chemical vapour deposition? Explain synthesis of CVD using thermal and
photolaser methods? (May/June 2016)(8 Marks)
8. Discuss the solvothermal and electro deposition method of synthesizing
nanomaterials? (April/May 2018)(8 Marks)

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Synthesis of nanoparticles using Sol-gel process

Figure shows the step by step synthesis process of sol-gel method

The Sol-gel process is a wet chemical technique also known as chemical solution
deposition. It is the method for producing solid materials from small molecules. This
method is used for the fabrication of metal oxides. It converts monomers into a colloidal
solution(sol), that acts as a precursor. This colloidal solution gradually evolves towards the
formation of a gel-like system.

Steps involved as follows,

 Hydrolysis and polycondensation
 Gelation
 Aging
 Drying
 Densification
 Crystallization

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The volume fraction of particles may be slow that a significant amount of fluid need to be
removed for the gel like properties to be recognized.

1. Sedimentation
The solution is allowed to keep for some time for sedimentation to occur and then pour off
the remaining liquid.
2. Centrifugation
Centrifugation can also be used to accelerate the process of phase separation
Drying and densification
Removal of remaining liquid (solvent) is done by drying process which accompanied by
shrinkage and densification.
Firing Or Crystallization
A thermal treatment is necessary to enhance mechanical properties and structural stability
via sintering, densification.

Basic principle of Solvothermal method

Solvothermal synthesis involves the use of solvent under high temperature (between
100 to 1000 degree Celsius) and moderate to high pressure (1 atm to 10000 atm) that
facilitate the interaction of precursors during synthesis.

Solvothermal synthesis of nanoparticles

Solvothermal synthesis involves the use of solvent under high temperature between
100 C to 1000oC and moderate to high pressure 1 atm to 10,000 atm that facilitate the
o

interaction of precursors during synthesis.

Method:
A solvent like ethanol, methanol, 2-propanol is mixed with certain metal precursors
and the solution mixture is placed in an autoclave kept at relatively high temperature and
pressure in an oven to carry out the crystal growth. The pressure generated in the vessel,
due to the solvent vapour, elevates the boiling point of the solvent.
Example: Solvothermal synthesis of zinc oxide.

Solvothermal synthesis of zinc oxide

Zinc acetate dihydrate is dissolved in 2-propanol at 50oC. Subsequently, the solution is

cooled to 0oC and NaOH is added to precipitate ZnO. The solution is then heated to 65 oC to

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allow ZnO growth for some period. Then a capping agent (1-dodecanethiol) is injected into
the suspension to arrest the growth. The rod shaped ZnO Nano-crystal is obtained.

Uses:
Many geometries including thin film, bulk powder, single crystals can be prepared.
Thermodynamically stable novel materials can also be prepared easily.

Chemical Vapour deposition (CVD)

CVD is a chemical vapour deposition. It is a process of chemically reacting a volatile
compound of a material with other gases, to produce a non-volatile solid that deposits
automatically on a suitably placed substrate.

Synthesis of nanoparticles using CVD

This process involves conversion of gaseous molecules into solid nanomaterials in
the form of tubes, wires or thin films. First the solid materials are converted into gaseous
molecules and then deposited as nanomaterials.
Example: CNT preparation

Working:
The CVD reactor consists of a higher temperature vacuum furnace
maintained at inert atmosphere. This solid substrate containing catalyst like nickel, cobalt,
iron supported on a substrate material like, silica, quartz is kept inside the furnace. The
hydrocarbons such as ethylene, acetylene and nitrogen cylinders are connected to the
furnace. Carbon atoms, produced by the decomposition at 1000 oC, condense on the cooler
surface of the catalyst. As this process is continuous, CNT is produced continuously.

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Various steps involved in synthesis of CVD:
The various steps involved in synthesis of CVD are summarized as follows,
 Transport of gaseous reactants to the surface.
 Adsorption of gaseous reactant on the surface.
 Catalyzed reaction occurs on the surface.
 Products diffuses to the growth sites.
 Nucleation and growth occur on the growth site.
 Desorption of reaction products away from the surface.
CVD reactor: The CVD reactors are of generally two types,
1. Hot wall CVD 2. Cold-wall CVD
Hot-wall CVD: Hot-wall CVD reactors are usually tubular in form, and heating is
accomplished by surrounding the reactor with resistance elements.
Cold-wall CVD: Cold-wall CVD reactors substrate are directly heated inductively by
graphite susceptors while chamber walls are air (or) water-cooled.

Electro-deposition

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Electro-deposition is an electrochemical method in which ions from the solution are
deposited at the surface of cathode. Template assisted electro deposition is an important
technique for synthesizing metallicNano-materials with controlled shape and size. Arrays of
Nano-structured materials with specific arrangements can be prepared by this method,
using an active template as a cathode.

Synthesis of nanoparticles using Electro-deposition

The cell consists of a reference electrode, specially designed cathode and anode. All these
electrodes are connected with the battery through a voltmeter and dipped in an electrolytic
solution of a soluble metal as shown in figure. When the current is passed through the
electrodes of template the metal ions from the solution enter into the pores and get reduced
at the cathode, resulting in the growth of nanowire inside the pores of the template.

Example: Electrodeposition of gold on silver

Nanostructured gold can be prepared by the electrodeposition technique using gold

sheets as an anode and silver plate as a cathode. An array of alumina template is kept over
the cathode as shown in the figure and AuCl3 is used as an electrolyte.
When the current of required strength is applied through the electrodes, Au + ions diffuse
into the pores of alumina template and gets reduced at the cathode resulting in the growth
of nanowires (or) Nano rods inside the pores of the alumina template.

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Advantages of electrodeposition:
1. This method is relatively cheap and fast.
2. Complex shaped objects can be coated.
3. The film or wire obtained is uniform.
4. Metal nanowires including Ni, Co, Cu and Au can be fabricated by this method.

Laser ablation
In laser ablation technique, high power laser pulse is used to evaporate the matter
from the target. The stoichiometry of the material is protected in the interaction.
The total mass ablated from the target per laser pulse is referred as the ablation rate.
This method involves vaporization of target material containing small amount of
catalyst (nickel or cobalt) by passing an intense pulsed laser beam at higher temperature to
about 1200oC in a quartz tube reactor. When a beam of laser is allowed to irradiate the
target, a supersonic jet of particles is evaporated from the target surface. Simultaneously, an
inert gas such as argon, helium is allowed into the reactor to sweep the evaporated particles
from the furnace zone to the colder collector. The ablated species condense on the substrate
placed opposite to the target.

Uses:
1. Nanotubes having a diameter of 10 to 20 nm and 100 um can be produced by this method.
2. Ceramic particles and coating can be produced.
3. Other materials like silicon, carbon can also be converted into nanoparticles by this
method.

Advantages of laser ablation:

1. It is very easy to operate.
2. The amount of heat required is less.

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3. It is eco-friendly method because no solvent is used.
4. The product, obtained by this method, is stable.
5. This process is economical.

Electrospinning:
 This method is cheap and fast.
 Even complex shaped objects can also be coated.
 Thin film or wire obtained is uniform.
 Metal nano wire including Ni, Co, Cu and Au can be fabricated by this method.

Electrospinning is the method of producing ultrafine fiber by charging and ejecting a

polymer solution through a spinneret under a high-voltage electric field and to solidify or
coagulate in to form a filament.
Required components,
 High voltage power supply.
 A polymer reservoir that can maintain a constant flow rate of solution.
 A conductive needle, as polymer source, connected to the high voltage power supply.
 A conductive collector (plate, drum etc)

Process:
A polymer is dissolved in a suitable solvent and is filled in the capillary reservoir.
When sufficiently high voltage is applied to create an electric field between the needle tip

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and collector, a charge accumulates at the liquid surface. When the electrostatic repulsion is
higher than the surface tension the liquid meniscus is deformed into conically shaped
structure known as a Taylor cone.
Once Taylor cone is formed, the charged liquid jet is ejected towards the collector.
Depending upon the viscosity of the solution, solid fiber will be formed as the solvent
evaporates.
Applications:
1. Electrospinning is used in diagnosis and treatment of diabetes.
2. Electro spunfibers are used in energy storage devices such as solar cell, fuel cell,
super capacitor.
3. Used in chemical sensors, gas sensors etc.
4. In biomedical, it is used in drug delivery, artificial blood vessel and wound dressing.

APPLICATIONS OF NANOMATERIALS

1. Write any four applications of nanomaterials? (May/June 2016)(2 Marks)

2. Explain the applications of nanoparticles (April/May 2017) (Nov/Dec 2019)(8
Marks)
3. Write two important applications of gold nanoparticles in medicine? (Nov/Dec
2016) (2 marks)
4. Discuss the applications of nanomaterials in biology and medicine? (Nov/Dec
2016)

APPLICATIONS OF NANOMATERIALS

Nano-technology finds significant impact on all most all the industries and all areas of
society. Since Nano-materials possess unique beneficial chemical, physical and mechanical
properties, they can be used for a wide variety of applications
1. Nano drugs:
Nanomaterials are used as Nano drugs for the cancer and TB therapy,
2.Laboratories on a chip:
Nanotechnology is used in the production of laboratories on a chip.
3. Nano-medibots:
Nanoparticles function as Nano-medibots that release anti-cancer drug and treat
cancer.

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4. Gold-coated nanoshells:
It converts light into heat, enabling the destruction of tumours.
5. Gold nanoparticles as sensors:
Gold nanoparticles undergo colour change during the transition of Nano particles.
6. Protein analysis:
Protein analysis can also be done using nanomaterials.
7. Gold Nano shells for blood immuno assay:
Gold Nano shells are used for blood immuno assay.
8. Gold Nano shells in imaging:
Optical properties of the gold Nano shells are utilized for both imaging and therapy.
9. Targeted drug delivery using gold Nano particles:
It involves slow and selective release of drugs to the targeted organs.
10. Repairing work:
Nano technology is used to partially repair neurological damage.
Industries:
1. As Catalyst:
It depends on the surface area of the material. As Nano-particles have an appreciable
fraction of their atom at the surface, its catalytic activity is good.
Example: Bulk gold is chemically inert, whereas gold Nano-particles have excellent catalytic
property.
2. In water purification:
Nano-filtration makes use of Nano-porous membranes having pores smaller than 10
nm. Dissolved solids and colour producing organic compounds can be filtered very easily
from water. Magnetic Nano-particles are effective in removing heavy metal contamination
from waste water.

3. In fabric industry:
The production of smart-clothing is possible by putting a Nano-coating on the fabric.
(i) Embedding of Nano-particles on fabric makes them stain repellent.
(ii) Socks with embedded silver Nano-particles fills all the bacteria and makes it
odour free.

4. In Automobiles:
(i) Incorporation of small amount of Nano-particles in car bumpers can make
them stronger than steel.

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 (ii) Specially designed Nano-particles are used as fuel additive to lower
consumption in vehicles.
5. In food industry:
The inclusion of Nano-particles in food contact materials can be used to generate novel type
of packing materials and containers.
6. In energy sector:
In solar power, Nano-technology reduces the cost of photovoltaic cells by 10 to 100 times.
Electronics:
 Quantum wires are found to have high electrical conductivity.
 The integrated memory circuits have been found to be effective devices.
 A transistor, called NOMFET, (Nano particle organic memory field effect transistor) is
created by combining gold Nano particles with organic molecules.
 Nano wires are used to build transistors without p - n junctions.
 Nano radios are the other important devices, using carbon nanotubes.
 MOSFET (Metal Oxide Semi-conductor Field Effect Transistor), performs both as
switches and as amplifiers.
Bio-materials (Biology):
 Nano materials are used as bone cement and bone plates in hospitals. It is also used
as a material for joint replacements.
 Nano technology is being used to develop miniature video camera attached to a blind
person’s glasses. Nano materials are also used in the manufacture of some
components like heart valves and contact lenses.
 Nano materials are also used in dental implants and breast implants.
 CNTs are used as light weight shielding materials for protecting electronic
equipment against electromagnetic radiation.

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