Nanomaterials

NANOMATERIALS

The prefix (nano) in the word nanomaterials means a billionth (1×10-9 m).
Atoms are very small and the diameter of a single atom can vary from 0.1 to 0.5 nm. It deals with various structures of matter having dimensions of order of a billionth of meter.

1. Nanoparticles
Nanoparticles are the particles the size of which ranges from 1-50 nm. Generally they are obtained from colloids. The colloidal particles have nanocrystals. A large percentage of atoms in nanocrystals are present on the surface.
Nancocrystals possess electronic magnetic and optical properties. Since the nanoparticles exhibit an electronic behavior governed by the quantum physics they are also called as quantum dots.

2. Nanomaterials
Nanomaterials are the materials having components with size less than 100 nm.
• Nanomaterials in one dimension are layers such as a thin films or surface coatings.
• Nanomaterials in two dimension are tubes such as nanotubes and nanowires.
• Nanomaterials in three dimension are particles like precipitates, colloids andquantum dots.

3. Nanochemistry (or) Nanoscience
Nanoscience is defined as the study of phenomena and manipulation of materials at atomic molecular and macromolecular scales.

4. Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology is defined as the design characterization production and applications of structures systems and devices by controlling size and shape at 10-9 m scale or the single –atomic level.