2022 -23 UNIT II

NANOCHEMISTRY

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY
CARE COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
 (Approved by AICTE and Affiliated to Anna University, Chennai)
27, Thayanur, Trichy – 620009
CY3151- ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY

UNIT II – NANOCHEMISTRY
The prefix (nano), in the word nanochemistry, means a billionth 1 x 10-9 m.

BASICS OF NANOCHEMISTRY

1. Nanoparticles
 Nanoparticles are the particles, the size of which ranges from 1-50 nm.
 Generally they are obtained as colloids. The colloidal particles have a tendency to remain
single crystal and hence are called as nanocrystals.
 A large percentage of atoms in nanocrystals are present on the surface.
 Nanoparticles exhibit an electronic behaviour hence, they are also called as quantum dots.
2. Nanomaterials
 Nanomaterials are the materials having components with size less than 100 nm at least in
one dimension.
 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 and quantum
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

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atomic level.

DlSTlNCTlON BETWEEN NANO PARTlCLE, MOLECULE AND BULK MATERlAL

1. 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.
2. Molecule is a collection of atoms, nano particles are collection of few molecules that is less
than 100 nm but bulk materials contains thousands of molecules.
3. Surface area of nano particles is more than the bulk materials.
4. Hardness of nano materials is 5 times more than the bulk materials.

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 5. Strength of nano materials is 3 - 10 times higher than the bulk materials.
6. Nano particles possesses size dependent properties, but bulk materials possess constant physical
properties.
7. Corrosion resistance is more than the bulk materials, hence localised corrosion in nano
materials is stopped.
8. Behaviour of bulk materials can be changed, but cannot enter inside the nano particles.
9. Nano particles, due to its size, possess unexpected optical (visible) properties.
10. Nano particles possesses lower melting point than the bulk materials.
11. Sintering of nano particles takes place at lower temperature and in short time than the bulk
materials.
12. Electrical proper ties, resistivity of nano particles are increased by 3 times.
13. Suspension of nano particles is possible, because nano particles possess high surface area, but
bulk materials cannot.

14. The wear resistance of nano particles are 170 times higher than the bulk materials.

S. Atom / Molecule Nano particles/ Bulk material

No. Properties
Nano cluster
1. Size of constituting Few Angstroms (Å) Angstrom to Microns to higher
particles. (10-10 m ) nanometer 10-10 m to
10-9m
2. Number of 1 for atom, many for 2 to several thousands Infinite
constituting particles molecules
3. Electronic Confined Confined Continuous
structure
4. Geometric Well-defined structure Well-defined structure Crystal structure
structure. and predictable. and predictable decides

Example NaCl, HCl (NaCl)n Gold bar &Silver bar

SIZE DEPENDENT PROPERTIES

Nearly all the properties like hardness, strength, ductility, melting point and density which
changes for nanomaterials are given in the figure. These behaviours vary so significantly by a mere
reduction in grain size. Nanomaterials are composed of grains and grain boundaries. Nanometre sized
grains contains only a few thousands of atoms with in each grain.

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 A large number of 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 are different from that of bulk alloys due
to the presence of increased fraction of defects.

Examples:

 Nanocrystalline ceramics are tougher and stronger than those with coarse grains.
 Nano-sized metals exhibit significant decrease in toughness and yield strength increases.

IMPORTANT PROPERTIES OF NANOMATERIALS

1. Electrical Properties
a. Electrical conductivity decreases with a reduced dimension due to increased surface scattering.
However it can be increased, due to better ordering in micro-structure. Eg., Polymeric fibres.
b. Nanocrystalline materials are used as very good separator plates in batteries, because they can
hold more energy than the bulk materials. Eg., Nickel-metal hydride batteries made of
nanocrystalline nickel and metal hydride, require far less frequent recharging and last much
longer.
2. Optical Properties

Reduction of material dimensions has pronounced effects on the optical properties. Optical
properties of nano-materials are different from bulk forms. The change in optical properties is caused
by two factors

a. The quantum confinement of electrons within the nano-particles increases the energy level
spacing. Eg., The optical absorption peak of a semiconductor nano-particles shifts to a short
wavelength, due to an increased band gap.
b. Surface plasma resonance, which is due to smaller size of nano-particles than the wavelength
of incident radiation. Eg., The colour of metallic nano-particles may change with their sizes due
to surface plasma resonance.

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 3. Mechanical properties

The nano-materials have less defects compared to bulk materials, which increases the mechanical
strength.

a. Mechanical properties of polymeric materials can be increased by the addition of nano-fillers.

b. As nano-materials are stronger, harder and more wear resistant and corrosion resistant, they are
used in spark plugs. Eg., Nano-crystalline carbides are much stronger, harder and wear resistant
and are used in micro drills.
4. Magnetic properties

Magnetic properties of nano materials are different from that of bulk materials due to the huge
surface area.

 Bulk Particles - Ferro-magnetic behaviour

 Nanoparticles - super-paramagnetics

TYPES OF NANOMATERIALS

Nanoparticles

Nanoparticles are the particles, the size of which ranges from 1 to 100 nm. These are tiny
aggregates of atoms but smaller than their crystals but bigger than molecules. They have three
dimensional structures. Eg., TiO2, gold, silver, ZnO, etc.,

Applications of Nanoparticles

 TiO2 is used in cosmetics as they are very good UV - absorber.

 Nano silver particles are used as a catalyst in industries.
 Nanoparticles are used in medicine.
 Nano silver particles are used in making bone cement, surgical instruments, etc.,

S.No Co-ordinates Examples

1. 0 – dimension Nanoclusters
2. 1 – dimension Thin Films, surface coatings
3. 2 – dimension Nanotubes, nanowires
4. 3 – dimension Precipitates, colloids

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. Eg., CdS, ZnO, etc.,

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 All the atoms, in nanocluster, are bound by forces like metallic, covalent, ionic, hydrogen bond
or Vander Waals forces of attraction. Clusters of certain critical size 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 nanoclusters can be distinguished from the nature of forces present between
atoms. Generally clusters containing transition metal atom have unique chemical, electronic and
magnetic properties. These properties vary with the number of constituent atoms, the type of element
and the net charge on the cluster.

Properties of nanoclusters

 Atomic clusters or molecular clusters are formed by the nucleation of atoms or molecules
respectively.
 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 nanocluster

 Nanoclusters are used as catalysts in many reactions.

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

2. Nanorods

Nanorod is two dimensional cylindrical solid material having an aspect ratio i.e., length to width
ratio less than 20. Eg., Zinc oxide, Cadmium sulphide, Gallium nitride nano rods.

Synthesis of nanorods

Nano-rods are produced by direct chemical synthesis. A combination of ligands act as shape
control agents and bond to different facets of the nano-rods with different strength.

This allows different nanorods to grow at different rates producing an elongated objects. Many
of the above nanorods are not manufactured due to lack of commercial demand.

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Properties of nanorods

 Nanorods are two-dimensional materials.

 It exhibits optical and electrical properties.

Applications of nanorods

 Nanorods find application in display technologies.

 It is also used in the manufacturing of micro mechanical switches.
 Nanorods are used in an applied electric field, micro electro mechanical systems, etc.,
 Nanorods along with noble metal nanoparticles function as theragnostic agents.
 They are used in energy harvesting and light emitting devices.
 Nanorods have used as cancer therapeutics.

3. Nanowires

Nanowire is two dimensional cylindrical solid material having an aspect ratio ie., length to width
ratio greater than 20. Diameter of the nanowire ranges from 10 - 100 nm.

Different types of nanowires

S.No Types of nanowires Examples

1. Metallic nanowires Au, Ni, Pt
2. Nanowires of semiconductors InP, Si, GaN
3. Nanowires of insulators SiO2, TiO2

4. Molecular nanowires DNA

Synthesis of nanowires

1. Template-assisted synthesis

Template assisted synthesis of nanowires is a 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.

2. VLS (Vapour - Liquid - Solid) method

It involves the absorption of the source material from the gas phase into a liquid phase 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.

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Properties of nanowires

 Nanowires are two-dimensional material.

 Conductivity of a nanowire is less than that of the corresponding bulk materials.
 It exhibits distinct optical, chemical, thermal and electrical properties due to this large surface
area.
 Silicon nanowires show strong photoluminescence characteristics.

Uses of nanowires

 Nanowires are used for enhancing mechanical properties of composites.

 It is also used to prepare active electronic components such as p-n junction and logic gates.
 Semiconductor nanowire crossings are expected to play an 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.

4. Nanotubes

Nanotubes are tube like structures with diameter of 1-100 nm and a length of few nm to microns.
Nanotubes consist of tiny cylinders of carbon and other materials like boron nitride. Nanotubes may be
organic (or) inorganic.

 Carbon nanotube
 Silicon nanotube
 DNA nanotube
 Boron nitride nanotube

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs)

Carbon nanotube is a tubular form of carbon with 1-3 nm diameter and a length of few nm to
microns. Generally carbon in the solid phase exits in different allotropic forms like graphite, diamond,
fullerence and nano tubes.

Figure – SWNT

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 Carbon nanotubes are tubular forms of carbon. When graphite sheets are rolled into a cylinder,
their edges join to each other form carbon nanotubes. Each carbon atom in the carbon nanotubes is
linked by covalent bonds. But the number of nanotubes align into ropes and are held together by weak
Vander Walls forces.

Structures (or) types of carbon nanotubes

Depending upon the way in which graphite sheets are rolled, two types of CNTs are formed.

 Single - walled nanotubes (SWNTs).

 Multi - walled nanotubes (MWNTs).

Single - walled nanotubes (SWNTs)

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.

1. Arm-chair structures: The lines of hexagons are parallel to the axis of the nanotube.

2. Zig-zag structures: The lines of carbon bonds are down the centre.

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 3. 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.

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

Carbon nanotubes can be synthesized by the following methods.

 Pyrolysis of hydrocarbons.
 Laser evaporation.
1. Pyrolysis

Carbon nanotubes are synthesized by the pyrolysis of hydrocarbons such as acetylene at about
700⁰C in the presence of Fe-silica or Fe-graphite catalyst under inert conditions.

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 2. Laser evaporation

It involves vapourization of graphite target, containing small amount of cobalt and nickel, by
exposing it to an intense pulsed laser beam at higher temperature (1200⁰C) in a quartz tube reactor. An
inert gas such as argon (or) helium 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

Uses of CNTs

 It is used in battery technology and in industries as catalyst.

 It is also used as light weight shielding materials for protecting electronic equipment.
 CNTs are used effectively inside the body for drug delivery.
 It is used in composites, ICs.
 It also acts as an efficient catalysts 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.

PREPARATlON OF NANOMATERlALS

The following two approaches are used for the synthesis of nanomaterials.

 Top-down process (or) Physical (or) Hard methods.

 Bottom-up process (or) Chemical (or) Soft methods.

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Top-down process

Top-down process involves the conversion of bulk materials into smaller particles of nano-
scale structure.

Bottom-up process

Bottom-up process involves building-up of materials from the bottom by atom by atoms,
molecule by molecule or cluster to the nanomaterials

Important Preparations

1. Sol-Gel process

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 involves conversion of monomers into a colloidal solution (sol) that acts as the
precursor. This colloidal solution gradually evolves towards the formation of a gel-like system.

It involves the following steps.

i. Hydrolysis and polycondensation

ii. Gelation
iii. Aging
iv. Drying
v. Densification
vi. Crystallization

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 The volume fraction of particles (particle density) may be slow that a significant amount of fluid
need to be removed for the gel-like properties to be recognized. It is done by two ways.

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

2. Solvothermal Synthesis

Solvothermal synthesis involves the use of solvent under high temperature (between 100⁰C to
1000⁰C) and moderate to high pressure (1 atm to 10,000 atm) that facilitate the 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. Eg. Solvothermal synthesis of zinc oxide

Solvothermal synthesis of zinc oxide

Zinc acetate dihydrate is dissolved in 2-propanol at 50⁰C. Subsequently, the solution is cooled
to 0⁰C and NaOH is added to precipitate ZnO. The solution is then heated to 65⁰C to allow ZnO growth
for some period of time. Then a capping agent (1-dodecanethiol) is injected into the suspension to arrest
the growth. The rod shaped ZnO nano-crystal is obtained.

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 3. Laser ablation

In laser ablation technique, high-power laser pulse is used to evaporate the material 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 to as the ablation rate.

This method involves vapourisation of target material containing small amount of catalyst
(nickel or cobalt) by passing an intense pulsed laser beam at a higher temperature to about 120⁰C in a
quartz tube reactor. Simultaneously, an inert gas such as argon, helium is allowed to pass into the reactor
to sweep the evaporated particles from the furnace to the colder collector.

Uses

 Nanotubes having a diameter of 10 to 20 nm and 100 µm can be produced by this method.

 Ceramic particles and coating can be produced.
 Other materials like silicon, carbon can also be converted into nanoparticles by this method

Advantages of laser ablation.

 It is very easy to operate.

 The amount of heat required is less.
 It is eco-friendly method because no solvent is used.
 The product, obtained by this method, is stable.
 This process is economical.

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 4. Chemical Vapour Deposition (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. Eg., CNT preparation.

The CVD reactor consists of a higher temperature vacuum furnace maintained at inert atmosphere.
The solid substrate containing catalyst like nickel, cobalt, iron supported on a substrate material like,
silica, quarts 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 1000⁰C,
condense on the cooler surface of the catalyst. As this process is continuous, CNT is produced
continuously.

Types of CVD Reactor

Generally the CVD reactors are of two types

1. Hot-wall CVD

Hot wall CVD reactors are usually tubular in form. Heating is done by surrounding the reactor with
resistance elements.

2. Cold-wall CVD

In cold-wall CVD reactors, substrates are directly heated inductively while chamber walls are air (or)
water cooled.

Advantages of CVD

 Nanomaterials, produced by this method, are highly pure.

 It is economical.
 Nanomaterials, produced by this method, are defect free.
 As it is simple experiment, mass production in industry can be done without major difficulties.

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 5. Electro-deposition (or) Electrochemical deposition

The cell consists of a reference electrode, specially designed cathode and anode. All these
electrodes are connected with the battery through an 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 gets reduced at the cathode, resulting in the growth
of nanowire inside the pores of the template.

Eg., 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 e

the pores of alumina templates and gets reduced at the cathode resulting in the growth of nanowires (or)
nanorods inside the pores of the alumina templates.

Advantages of Electro-deposition

 This method is relatively cheap and fast.

 Complex shaped objects can be coated.
 The film or wire obtained is uniform.
 Metal nanowires including Ni, Co, Cu and Au can be fabricated by this method.

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 6. Electrospinning

Definition: Electrospinning is a method of producing ultrafine (in nanometers) fibres by charging and
ejecting a polymer solution through a spinneret under a high-voltage electric field and to solidify (or)
coagulate it to form a filament.

Components

1. A high voltage power supply.

2. Polymer reservoir that can maintain a constant flow rate of solution.
3. A conductive needle, as polymer source, connected to the high voltage power supply.
4. 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 and the collector, a
charge accumulates at the liquid surface. When the electrostatic repulsion is higher than the surface
tension known as a Taylor cone.

Once the Taylor cone is formed, the charged liquid jet is ejected towards the collector.
Depending upon the viscosity of the solution, solid fibre will be formed as the solvent evaporates.

Applications

1. Electrospinning is used in diagnosis and treatment of diabetes.

2. Electrospun fibres are used in energy storage devices such as, solar cell, fuel cell, super
capacitors.
3. It is also used in textiles for smart clothing, protecting clothing and fire retardant fibres.
4. It is used in sensors like gas sensors, chemical sensors and fluorescence sensors.
5. In biomedical, it is used in drug delivery, artificial blood vessel and wound dressing.
6. e-spun fibres employed in a variety of applications such as filtration and thermal insulation.

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 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. Medicine
 Nano drugs: Nano materials are used as nano drugs for the cancer and TB therapy.
 Laboratories on a chip: Nano technology is used in the production of laboratories on a chip.
 Nano-medibots: Nano particles function as nano-medibots that release anti-cancer drug and
treat cancer.
 Gold-coated nanoshells: It converts light into heat, enabling the destruction of tumours.
 Gold nano particles as sensors: Gold nano particles undergo colour change during the transition
of nano particles.
 Protein analysis: Protein analysis can also be done using nanomaterials.
 Gold nanoshells for blood immuno assay: Gold nano shells are used for blood immuno assay.
 Gold nano shells in imaging: Optical properties of the gold nano shells are utilized for both
imaging and therapy.
 Targeted drug delivery using gold nano particles: It involves slow and selective release of drugs
to the targeted organs.
 Repairing work: Nano technology is used to partially repair neurological damage.

2. In Agriculture
 Nanomaterials prepared by eco-friendly and green method with plant extracts (Nano
formulations) could increase agriculture potential for improving fertilization process, plant
growth regulators.
 They also minimize the amount of harmful chemicals that pollute the environment.
 Nanosensors are used in crop protection for the identification of
diseases and residues of agrochemicals.
 Nanodevises are used for the genetic engineering of plants.
 Nanomaterials are used in plant disease diagnostics.
 It is also used in postharvest management.
 Precision farming techniques might be used to further improve the crop yields but not damage
soil and water.
 Some nanomaterials are used as antimicrobial agents in food packing especially silver
nanoparticles are in great interest.
 Nano particle - based pesticides and herbicides are being explored for the application of
antimicrobial agents to protect crops from various diseases.

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3. In Energy

Nanomaterials are used in several applications to improve the efficiency of energy generation (or)
develop new methods to generate energy.

 Power generation: Sun light, concentrated on nanoparticles, can produce steam with high
energy efficiency, which can even be used in running power plants.
 Generating hydrogen from sea water: The use of a nanostructured thin film of nickel selenide
as a catalyst for the electrolysis of hydrogen from sea water.
 Producing high efficiency light bulbs: Nano-engineered polymer matrix is used for the
production of high efficiency light bulbs.
 Increasing the electricity generated by wind mills: Stronger and lower weight blades, made
from nanotubes-filled epoxy, in wind mills increases the amount of electricity.
 Generating electricity from waste heat: Sheets of nanotubes have been used to build thermocells
that generates electricity, when the sides of the cell are at different temperature.
 Storing hydrogen for fuel cell powered cars: Graphene layers are used in fuel tank, resulting in
a higher amount of hydrogen storage and therefore lighter weight fuel tank.
 Reducing power loss in electric transmission wires: The wires containing carbon nanotubes
lowers resistance than the wires currently used in the electric transmission grid.
 Reducing the cost of solar cell: Nanotech solar cells are manufactured at significantly lower
cost than the conventional solar cells.
 Nano battery and fuel cell: Nanomaterials, used in batteries and fuel cell, increases their
efficiency.

4. 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, (Nanoparticle Organic Memory Field Effect Transistor) is
created by combining gold nanoparticles 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.

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5. In Catalysis

Nanoparticle catalysts are highly effective because of the following two reasons

 Huge surface area

 Enhanced reactivity
 Water purification: Nanosilver catalyst is highly efficient in controlling microbes in water.
 Bio-diesel production: Solid base nanocatalyst KF/CaO can be used for biodiesel production
with yield more than 96%.
 Fuel cell application: Carbon supported electro-catalysts play an important role in fuel cell.
 In drug delivery: Carbon nanomaterials find more applications in biological fields.
 CNTs may be suitable for bio-applications in bio recognition and drug delivery systems.
 Gold nanoparticles: It is an important catalyst in co-oxidation, epoxidation of propylene,
hydrogenation of unsaturated hydrocarbons.
 Nanopowder silica catalyst (or) platinum nanoparticles exhibit very strong catalytic activity for
hydrolysation reactions.
 Titania-based nanocatalysts are being increasingly used in photo-catalysis.
 Nanocrystalline MgO particles act as an effective catalyst for dehydrogeneration.

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