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UNIT – 6 NOTECHNOLOGY

Q(1) Discuss the classification of Nanomaterials?

Explain classification of nanomaterials in brief?
Ans:
1. The word “nano” is derived from a Greek word meaning dwarf or extremely small and means a
billionth (10–9) part of a unit. A nanometre or nm is one thousand millionth of a metre, i.e., 1 nm
= 10–9 m.
2. Nanoscience is defined as the study of phenomena and manipulation of materials at atomic,
molecular and macromolecular scales, where properties differ significantly from those at a larger
scale.
3. The techniques involved in the preparation, characterisation and use of nanomaterials in
different applications is called Nanotechnology. It is the study of design, characterisation,
production and application of structures, devices and systems by controlling shape and size at the
nanometer scale.
4. Nanomaterials are defined as a set of substances where at least one dimension is less than
approximately 100 nanometres.
5. Nanomaterials can be classified on the basis of origin, dimensions and their structural
configuration.
6. On the basis of the dimensions, nanomaterials also can be divided into zero dimensional, one
dimensional, two dimensional and three- dimensional nano materials as shown in figure 6.1.

Fig.6.1: Different dimensional Nanomaterials (a) 0-D spheres and clusters, (b) 1-D nanofibers, wires and rods, (c) 2-
D films, networks, (d) 3-D nanomaterials.

 Zero dimensional(0-D):
1) In these nanomaterials, all the dimensions are measured within the nanoscale.
2) Most of these nanoparticles are spherical in size and the diameter of these particles will
be in the range of 1-50 nm.
3) Gold and silver nanoparticles and are the perfect example of this kind of nanoparticles.
 One dimensional(1-D):
1) In these nanostructures, one dimension of the nanostructure will be outside the nanometer
range. These include nanowires, nanorods, and nanotubes.
2) These materials are long , but with diameter of only a few nanometers.
 Two dimensional(2-D):
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1) In this type of nanomaterials, two dimensions are outside the nanometer range.
2) These include different kinds of nano films such as, nano sheets or nano-walls.
3) The area of the nano films can be large, but the thickness is always in nano scale range.
 Three Dimensional(3-D):
1) All dimensions of these are outside the nano meter range.
2) These include bulk materials which are in the nanometer scale (1-100 nm), like
nanoparticles, bundles of nanowires and nanotubes as well as multi-nanolayers etc.

Q(2) How do the properties of Nano-materials differ from bulk-materials?

What are nanomaterials? Write the reasons for change in properties of materials
at nanoscale.
Ans: Nanomaterials have numerous potential applications because at this scale they have unique
optical, magnetic, electrical, and other properties which are quite different from that of bulk
materials. These properties are:
1. Colour:
a) Some materials show the different colors when they are converted to nanometer scales.
b) For e.g., when the gold materials are converted to nanomaterials they turn into red color.
2. Optical Properties:
a) When light is incident on nanomaterial, it can be absorbed or scattered. It depends on the
size of the nanomaterial. If the size of nanomaterial is less than 20 nm, absorption is
significant and if the size greater than 100 nm, scattering is significant.
b) Thus by designing the nanoparticle of different sizes, optimal amount of absorption or
scattering can be achieved. This may result different colour for the particles of different
sizes of nanoparticles.
c) E.g. opaque substances at the bulk level, become transparent (copper), gold nano-spheres
of 50 nm are green in colour and of 100 nm size appear orange in colour.
d) By carefully controlling the size, shape and surface functionality of nanoparticles a wide
range of optical effects can generated with many useful applications.
3. Electrical Properties:
a) Electrical conductivity of material is altered when it is reduced to nano size. It is possible
to invent nano materials having desired conductivity.
b) E.g. in ceramics, the electrical conductivity increases with decrease in nanoparticle size
and in metals, electrical conductivity decreases with decrease in nanoparticle size.
4. Magnetic Properties:
a) Nanomaterials are more magnetic than bulk material. Even non-magnetic solids are found
to show magnetic properties when reduced to nano level.
b) Magnetic properties of the materials can change when reduced to nano level.
c) E.g. Sodium, Potassium which are paramagnetic at the bulk level become ferromagnetic
at the nano level.
d) Iron, Cobalt, Nickel which are ferromagnetic at the bulk level become super
paramagnetic at the nano level.
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5. Structural Properties:
a) In nanoparticles surface area to volume ratio is very large.
b) Atoms on the surface of a material are often more reactive than those in the centre, so a
larger surface area means the material is more reactive.
c) Forces of attraction between surfaces can appear to be weak on a larger scale, but on a
nanoscale they are strong.
d) This may lead to different surface morphology, changes in crystal structure etc.
6. Mechanical properties:
a) The mechanical properties like hardness, elasticity, adhesion, friction improve as the material
size is decreased to nano scale.
b) Lubrication improves at the nanoscale. Ductility of nanomaterial may be high at high
temperatures.

Q(2) What are nanomaterials? Write the reasons for change in properties
of materials at nanoscale.
Ans:
The reasons for the change in their properties are Large Surface Area to volume ratio:
1) Nano materials have a large surface area to volume ratio when compared to bulk material
and it is a great measure for efficiency of nanotechnology.
2) Example: Let us consider a sphere of radius „r‟
Its surface area = 4πr2
Its volume (atom)= πr3
Surface area (S.A.) to volume ratio =
3) Therefore when the radius of the sphere decreases, its surface area to volume ratio
increases.
4) Let us consider a cubic volume shown in figure. If a given sample its surface area is 6m2 .
5) When it is divided into 8 pieces its surface area becomes 12m2 .
6) When the volume is divided into 27 pieces its surface area becomes 18m2 .
7) Thus, when the given volume is divided into smaller pieces, the surface area increases.
8) Due to increase in surface area, more number of atoms will appear at the surface. This
makes nano materials more chemically reactive.
9) Reducing the dimensions of material affects reactivity, optical properties, electrical
properties, magnetic properties.
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Q(2) Explain bondings in solids? Also explain in short Vander

walls force in solids?
Ans:
1) In solid-state physics, bonding in solids refers to the forces that hold atoms, ions, or
molecules together in a solid structure.
2) The strength and type of bonding significantly influence the properties of solids, such
as mechanical strength, electrical conductivity, and thermal stability.
3) Van der Waals forces are weak intermolecular forces that arise due to transient dipoles
in atoms or molecules.
4) VdW forces play a critical role in the adhesion of nanoparticles to surfaces, impacting
nanocoatings and lubricants
5) Nanomaterials such as fullerenes and graphene sheets rely on VdW forces to maintain structural
integrity.
6) Molecular self-assembly, essential in nanofabrication and soft nanomaterials, is
governed by VdW interactions
7) VdW forces mediate interactions between biomolecules, influencing drug delivery and
nanoscale biosensors.
Types of Van der Waals Forces

1. London Dispersion Forces (Instantaneous Dipole-Induced Dipole

Interactions)
o Arise due to temporary fluctuations in electron density.
o Present in all molecules, especially non-polar ones like noble gases and fullerenes (C₆₀).
o Important in stabilizing nanostructures such as carbon nanotubes and molecular
assemblies.
2. Dipole-Dipole Interactions
o Occur between molecules with permanent dipoles.
o The positive end of one molecule attracts the negative end of another.
o Significant in organic nanomaterials and polymer-based nanostructures.
3. Dipole-Induced Dipole Interactions
o A polar molecule induces a temporary dipole in a non-polar molecule, leading to
attraction.
o Influences the interaction between nanoparticles and biological molecules.