Nanomaterials Definition:

• Made from tiny blocks called nanoparticles.

• At least one dimension is less than about 100 nanometers (nm).

Nanoscience Overview:

• A new field studying the special properties of materials at the nano scale.

• “Nano” means one-billionth of a meter.

Understanding the Nano Scale:

• 1 nanometer (1 nm) = 10⁻⁹ meters.

• This size is roughly 100,000 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair.

Examples of Sizes:

• A hydrogen atom is about 0.24 nm.

• 10 hydrogen atoms lined up measure about 1 nm.

• A red blood cell is around 7,000 nm wide.

• A water molecule is nearly 0.3 nm across.

Importance of the Nanoscale:

• Materials can behave very differently at sizes from 100 nm down to the size of
atoms (~0.2 nm).

Unique Properties of Nanomaterials:

• They often show special optical, magnetic, electrical, and other properties that
are not seen at larger scales.

• These unique properties could lead to major advances in electronics, medicine,

and more.

Examples of Nanomaterials:

• Nano carbons like fullerenes and carbon nanotubes.

Stronger Materials with Nanoparticles:

• Adding nano-sized particles (less than 100 nm) to materials can make them
much stronger than expected.

• For example, metals with grain sizes around 10 nm can be up to seven times
harder and tougher than the same metal with larger grains.
Why Properties Change at the Nanoscale:

• Larger Surface Area:

o Nanomaterials have a much larger surface area compared to their

volume, making them more chemically reactive and altering their strength
and electrical properties.

• Quantum Effects:

o At very small sizes, quantum mechanics starts to influence material

behavior, affecting optical, electrical, and magnetic properties.

Different Dimensions in Nanomaterials:

• Nanomaterials can be engineered in one dimension (like very thin coatings), two
dimensions (like nanowires and nanotubes), or three dimensions (like
nanoparticles).

Changes in Basic Properties:

• In bulk materials, properties like color, melting point, and electrical or magnetic
behavior do not depend on size.

• When reduced to nanoscale (less than 100 nm), these properties can change
significantly.

• Example: Gold appears yellow in bulk but turns ruby red at the nanoscale.

Significance of Nanotechnology:

• Nanotechnology allows us to deliberately alter molecular arrangements, leading

to new or enhanced material properties.

• This capability paves the way for creating better materials and devices with
improved performance in various fields like electronics, medicine, and more.

In the Automobile Industry:

• Benefits:

o Parts made with nanomaterials are flexible, lightweight, and stronger than
traditional materials.

• Usage:

o Can be applied in cars, airplanes, etc.

• Examples:

o Carbon nanosheets, Graphene sheets

In Electronics:

• Benefits:

o Devices such as computers, mobile phones, cameras, and memory

storage have become smaller and more efficient.

o Reduction in transistor size is a key factor.

• Examples:

o Carbon nanotubes, Semiconductor nanowires, Nanorods

In Energy:

• Benefits:

o Nanomaterial-based solar cells are more efficient due to their large

surface area and ability to trap light.

o High-capacity Li-ion batteries can be developed using nanomaterials.

• Usage:

o Useful in solar energy applications, cell phones, automobiles, etc.

• Examples:

o Silicon nanowires, Zinc oxide, Titanium oxide nanowires

In Water Purification:

• Benefits:

o Nanomaterials provide efficient, clean, and cost-effective water

purification due to their large surface area.

• Examples:

o Nano TiO₂, Carbon nanotubes

In Medicine:

• Benefits:

o Nanomaterials enable targeted drug delivery, interacting only with

infected cells and sparing healthy ones.

• Examples:

o Gold (Au) and Silver (Ag) nanoparticles

Superhydrophobicity (Water-Repellent Surfaces):

 • Benefits:

o Coatings with nanomaterials create surfaces that repel water, similar to a

lotus leaf.

• Usage:

o Can be applied to fabrics, metals, shoes, car windshields, window

glasses, tissue papers, etc.

• Examples:

o Silicon nanowires

Nanotechnology Inspired by Nature:

• Examples in Nature:

o Bacterial Flagella:

▪ Rotate over 10,000 rpm, acting as natural molecular machines.

o Lotus Effect:

▪ Lotus leaves repel water and self-clean due to a complex micro-

and nanoscale surface structure.

• Application:

o This natural design inspires treatments, coatings, paints, and fabrics that
stay dry and clean.

Nanotechnology and Biology:

• Interconnection:

o Many biological structures (like DNA, which is about 2 nm wide, and

enzymes, which are only a few nanometers in size) operate at the
nanoscale.

• Applications:

o Detection of pathogens and biomolecules

o Drug and gene delivery

o Cancer diagnosis and treatment

o Tissue engineering

o Creation of nanostructures that mimic biomolecules

Nanobiotechnology/Bionanotechnology:

• Definition:

o A field that uses nanoscale principles to study and transform biological

systems.

• Benefits:

o Helps overcome challenges in medical diagnosis and treatment.

o Develops advanced tools by mimicking natural biological processes.

• Examples:

o Small magnetic nanoparticles used as MRI contrast agents and in

hyperthermia treatment for cancer, where tumor cells are selectively
heated without harming healthy cells.

o DNA nanotechnology, which utilizes the properties of nucleic acids to

create useful nanomaterials.

• Why Nanoparticles Behave Differently:

o Size Effect:

▪ Nanomaterials show unique properties compared to larger (bulk)

materials because of their small size.

▪ Two key factors cause these differences:

1. Increased Surface Area

2. Quantum Confinement Effect

• Increased Surface Area:

o What It Means:

▪ Nanoparticles have a much larger surface area relative to their

volume.

o Example with a Cube:

▪ A 1 m³ cube has a surface area of 6 m².

▪ Dividing it into eight smaller cubes increases the total surface area
to 12 m².

o Effect on Properties:
 ▪ More atoms are on the surface, making the material more
chemically reactive and altering its strength and electrical
properties.

o Mathematical Insight:

▪ For a sphere of radius r:

▪ Surface Area = 4πr²

▪ Volume = (4/3)πr³

▪ Surface-to-Volume Ratio = 3/r

▪ As the radius r decreases, the ratio increases significantly.

• Quantum Confinement:

o What It Means:

▪ In nanomaterials, electrons are confined within a very small space,

which makes the energy levels discrete (i.e., not continuous).

o Why It Matters:

▪ This confinement changes how the material absorbs and emits

light, conducts electricity, and behaves magnetically.

o Different Forms Based on Dimensions:

▪ Quantum Well: Confined in one dimension.

▪ Quantum Wire: Confined in two dimensions.

▪ Quantum Dot: Confined in all three dimensions.

These two effects—larger surface area and quantum confinement—are the main
reasons why nanoparticles have significantly different properties compared to bulk
materials.

Definition of Nanoscale Materials:

• Materials made up of nanoparticles.

• At least one dimension is less than about 100 nanometers.

Nanocrystallites:

• Small crystalline particles at the nanoscale.

• They can exist as single particles, fused together, or in clusters.

 • Can have different shapes like spherical, tubular, or irregular.

Classification Based on Dimensions:

1. Zero Dimensional (0D):

o All three dimensions are in the nanoscale.

o Example: Quantum dots (tiny nanocrystallites), precipitates, colloids.

2. One Dimensional (1D):

o Two dimensions are at the nanoscale; one dimension is larger.

o Example: Quantum wires, nanofibers, nanorods.

3. Two Dimensional (2D):

o One dimension is at the nanoscale; the other two are larger.

o Example: Quantum wells, thin surface films.

4. Three Dimensional (3D):

o All dimensions are at the bulk scale, but the material’s internal structures
(like grains) can have nanoscale features.

o Example: Grains and grain boundaries in a material.

General Points:

• Nearly every element, alloy, or compound can form nanoparticles.

• Nanoparticles can be metallic, semiconducting, or insulating.

• Their properties differ greatly from their bulk counterparts because of:

o High Surface Area: A larger fraction of atoms is exposed, making them

more reactive.

o Quantum Effects: At the nanoscale, quantum confinement leads to

unique electrical, optical, and magnetic properties.

• By controlling the composition, size, and structure at the nanoscale, we can

design materials with tailored properties.

General Overview:

• Nanomaterials vs. Bulk Materials:

o Nanomaterials are often crystalline and show unique properties not seen
in larger, bulk materials.
 o Adding nanoparticles, nanorods, or nanotubes to polymers can
significantly improve mechanical strength.

1. Physical Properties:

• Crystal Structure & Lattice Parameters:

o Similar Structure: Nanoparticles usually have the same crystal structure

as their bulk counterparts.

o Different Lattice Spacing: The spacing between atoms (lattice

parameters) changes as particle size decreases because of:

▪ Long-range Electrostatic Forces: Attractive forces between

atoms.

▪ Short-range Core-Core Repulsion: Repulsive forces when atoms

get too close.

• Melting Point:

o Lower Melting Point: Nanoparticles tend to melt at lower temperatures

than bulk materials. Smaller particles require less energy to change
phase.

2. Optical Properties:

• Color Changes with Size:

o Nanocrystalline materials can display different colors depending on their

size.

o Example: Gold nanoparticles:

▪ About 100 nm in size appear orange.

▪ Around 50 nm in size appear green.

• Quantum Effects:

o When semiconductor particles become very small, quantum effects

dominate.

o Quantum Confinement: Electrons and holes can only exist at specific

energy levels.
 o Result: You can control the specific wavelengths (colors) of light that the
particles absorb or emit just by altering their size.

3. Chemical Properties:

• High Surface Area:

o Nanomaterials have a much larger proportion of atoms on their surface

compared to bulk materials.

o Result: Increased chemical reactivity and enhanced catalytic activity.

o Catalysis: The large surface area, along with changes in shape and
electronic structure, makes nanomaterials excellent catalysts.

4. Electrical Properties:

• Modified Energy Bands:

o The energy band structure (the range of energies electrons can have) is
altered at the nanoscale.

o Effect on Conductivity: This changes the way electrons move through

the material, affecting conductivity.

• Size-Dependent Behavior:

o Semiconductor materials (like Germanium, Silicon, or Cadmium) can

lose their typical semiconductor behavior when in nanoparticle form.

o Nanoclusters: Different sizes result in different electronic structures and

energy level separations, leading to varied electrical properties.

5. Magnetic Properties:

• Reduced Magnetic Moment:

o Nanoparticles usually exhibit a lower magnetic moment than the same

material in bulk form.

• Induced Magnetism in Non-Magnetic Materials:

o Some materials that are non-magnetic in their bulk state (such as gold
and platinum) can show magnetic properties when reduced to the
nanoscale.
Summary of Variation with Nano Size:

• Increased Surface-to-Volume Ratio:

o As particles get smaller, a greater proportion of atoms are at the surface,

leading to enhanced reactivity and catalytic properties.

• Quantum Confinement:

o In very small particles, electrons are confined to limited energy levels,

affecting optical, electrical, and magnetic properties in a way that doesn't
occur in larger particles.

• Overall Impact:

o These size-dependent effects make nanomaterials behave very differently

from bulk materials, enabling new applications and improved
performance in various fields.

Lattice Compression:

• High surface tension in nanoparticles (Laplace pressure) compresses them,

reducing the distance between atoms (lattice parameter).

• This can sometimes trigger phase changes in materials.

Lower Melting Point:

• Nanoparticles melt at lower temperatures than larger (bulk) materials because

of increased surface energy and more active atomic vibrations.

Stronger and Harder Materials:

• As the grain size decreases, materials become harder and stronger (Hall-Petch
relation).

• However, if particles get too small, the usual mechanisms for deformation
(dislocations) vanish, which can alter this behavior.

Blue Shift in Light Emission:

• Smaller particles have a larger energy gap, causing them to emit light at shorter
wavelengths (a “blue shift”).

Wider Energy Bands:

• The energy levels in nanoparticles spread out (broadening), which increases the
band gap and affects optical and electronic properties.
Challenges of Nanotechnology:

• 1. Synthesis/Preparation:

o Challenge: Designing and creating new nanomaterials with controlled

size, shape, composition, and structure.

o Example: Making a tiny p-n junction in the form of a nanowire.

• 2. Nanomanipulation:

o Challenge: Handling and assembling nanomaterials to build devices

because of their extremely small size.

o Example: Constructing a single nanowire transistor.

• 3. Health and Environmental Risks:

o Human Health:

▪ Tiny particles can be inhaled, enter the bloodstream, and affect

organs like the liver or heart.

▪ It's important to understand how nanoparticles interact with our

bodies.

o Environmental Health:

▪ Improper recycling of electronics and nanomaterial-based

products (like nano-coated items) can pollute the environment.

▪ Developing safe recycling methods is a major challenge.

• 4. Renewable Clean Energy:

o Challenge: Creating nanomaterial-based solar cells that are more

efficient, durable, less expensive, and easier to recycle.

o Goal: Help meet global energy needs while protecting our planet.

• 5. Clean Water Supply:

o Challenge: Designing nanomaterial-based water filters that offer better

purification, last longer, and are cost-effective to produce and recycle.

o Goal: Ensure access to clean water for everyone.

• 6. Access to Information Technology:

o Challenge: Reducing costs and improving the performance of electronic

devices (memory, displays, processors) using nanotechnology.
 o Goal: Make advanced technology available even in remote areas.

• 7. Medical and Health Innovations:

o Challenge: Developing new methods for drug delivery, faster drug

development, and repairing cellular damage.

o Goal: Improve health outcomes and increase longevity.

• 8. Space Development:

o Challenge: Using nanomaterials to build lighter, stronger, and more

efficient components for space exploration and development.

Future Prospects and Applications:

• 1. Chemical Industry:

o Use nanomaterials as fillers in coatings, create magnetic fluids, and

develop advanced catalysts.

• 2. Automotive Industry:

o Produce lightweight yet strong parts, improved paints, catalysts, and

sensors using nanomaterials.

• 3. Electronics Industry:

o Develop smaller, faster, and more efficient memory devices, displays,

laser diodes, and filters.

• 4. Energy Sector:

o Enhance fuel cells, solar cells, batteries, and ultracapacitors with

nanomaterial technology for better energy efficiency.

• 5. Cosmetics:

o Formulate improved sun protection creams and toothpaste with

nanomaterials for better performance.

• 6. Medicine and Nanomedicine:

o Current Applications:

▪ Fluorescent biological labels, drug and gene delivery systems,

rapid medical tests, antimicrobial coatings, and cancer therapy.

o Future Possibilities:
 ▪ Quickly eliminate bacterial infections, perform surgery at the
cellular level, and repair damaged cells.

▪ Use quantum dots (Qdots) to precisely locate cancer cells and

deliver targeted chemotherapy.

▪ Develop nanocells that focus heat from infrared light to destroy

cancer cells without harming healthy tissue.

o Vision:

▪ Tiny robotic devices, built with nanoelectronics, sensors, and

MEMS, could monitor and diagnose health issues inside the body.