How Do Nanoparticles Revolutionize Science and Technology?
Also known as the zero-dimensional nanomaterials, nanoparticles are particles whose dimensions are below 100nm. These microscopic particles have unique properties that make them suitable for immense chemical reactivity, bio mobility, and energy absorption. Nanoparticles naturally occur in the environment but also are artificially synthesized. They are applied extensively in the development of modern medicine. It includes sophisticated processes like contrast agents in medical imaging and gene transfer into a cell. Engineering, catalysis, and environmental remediation are also areas where nanotechnology gets used widely. One of the biggest challenges is the toxicity which the nanoparticles pose to society and the environment. Nevertheless, nanoparticles are a boon to the modern world.
Size of the Nanoparticles
Nanoparticles are invisible to the human eye. They exhibit significant chemical and physical changes in the larger materials. As their size approaches that of the atomic particles, their properties get modified even more. Each nanoparticle has a few thousand atoms. As the particles reduce in size more and more, their surface area to volume ratio increases, resulting in the surface atoms dominating the material. Moreover, these nanoparticles are enormously small and are able to confine the electrons present in them and produce quantum effects. The surface area of the nanoparticles is even larger than that of powders, plates, or sheets.
Physicochemical Properties of Nanoparticles
Mechanical strength, large surface area, optical and chemical reactivity are properties that make the nanoparticles unique. However, there are several other physicochemical properties:
Noble metal nanoparticles are size-dependent in their optical properties. They have a UV-visible spectrum band that is not present in bulk metals. It appears when excited by the Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR) and results in wavelength selection absorption and molar excitation. Ray light scatters along with enhancing electromagnetic fields. Hence the optical and electronic properties are interdependent.
The nanoparticles work best when their diameter is less than the critical value. The magnetic properties of the particles are very effective below 10-20 nm. It makes them useful for several applications.
When compared to microparticles, nanoparticles show dissimilar mechanical properties. The mechanical parameters such as hardness, elastic modulus, stress and strain, adhesion, and friction are determined. They are used to analyze if the nanoparticles have a usage in nanomanufacturing and nanofabrication.
The nanofluids are used in specialized heat transfer phenomenon's. The thermal conductivity of these fluids is more enhanced than that of conventional fluids. The metal nanoparticles have conductivities 1000 times greater than the fluids.
Uses and Applications of Nanoparticles
Nanoparticles are produced by engineering methods or through combustion techniques. Healthcare, cosmetics, environmental preservation, and air purification are processes that involve nanoparticle technology. These particles transport chemotherapeutic drugs across the human body for the treatment of cancer. They can transfer even to the regions where the arteries are damaged. Aerospace engineers use carbon nanotubes for the morphing of aircraft wings. Zinc oxide nanowires applied in the solar cells help in environmental preservation. The nanoparticles hence have several other applications.
Questions and Answers
1. Compare the Size of the Nanoparticles with Other Particle Types.
Answer - The following table shows the comparison:
2. Give Some Nanoparticles Examples.
Answer- There are several kinds of nanoparticles based on their morphology. For example, some nanoparticles get prepared from the precursors of metals. These metal nanoparticles get synthesized by chemical, electrochemical, or photochemical methods. They have high surface energy and hence can absorb small molecules. In scanning electron microscopes, gold nanoparticles are used for analyzing a sample. Carbon nanoparticles are other types that have fullerenes and graphene sheets rolled into carbon nanotubes. These nanoparticles are famous for their high strength and electrical conductivity. Semiconductor nanoparticles have properties between metals and nonmetals. Polymeric nanoparticles are organic-based. These structures are either Nano capsules or Nano spheres. Their release can be controlled and hence used in the protection of drug molecules. The ceramic nanoparticles arise from the oxides, carbonates, carbides, and phosphates which are inorganic in nature. They are mainly used as drug delivery agents.
FAQs on Nanoparticle: Definition, Properties & Uses
1. What exactly is a nanoparticle and what size range defines it?
A nanoparticle is a particle of matter that is between 1 and 100 nanometres (nm) in diameter. To put this into perspective, a human hair is about 80,000-100,000 nanometres wide. It is at this nanoscale that materials begin to exhibit unique physical, chemical, and biological properties that differ significantly from those of their larger, bulk counterparts.
2. What are the main types of nanoparticles based on their composition?
Nanoparticles are broadly classified based on the materials they are made from. The primary types include:
- Carbon-Based Nanoparticles: These include fullerenes and carbon nanotubes, known for their exceptional strength and conductivity.
- Metal-Based Nanoparticles: This category includes nanoparticles of gold, silver, and iron oxide, which are widely used in biomedical imaging and diagnostics.
- Ceramic Nanoparticles: Examples are silica and titanium dioxide, often used in cosmetics, sunscreens, and as industrial catalysts.
- Polymeric Nanoparticles: These are organic-based nanoparticles, such as nanocapsules or micelles, used for targeted drug delivery systems.
3. What are some key applications of nanoparticles in science and technology?
The unique properties of nanoparticles have enabled breakthroughs across many fields. Key applications include:
- Medicine: For targeted drug delivery to cancer cells, enhancing medical imaging (MRI contrast agents), and in antibacterial coatings.
- Electronics: Creating smaller, more efficient computer chips, flexible displays, and conductive inks.
- Consumer Goods: Used in sunscreens (titanium dioxide and zinc oxide) for UV protection without a white residue, and in fabrics to create stain-resistant clothing.
- Energy: Improving the efficiency of solar cells and developing higher-capacity batteries.
4. How does a nanoparticle's behaviour differ so dramatically from its bulk material?
A material's behaviour changes at the nanoscale due to two main factors. Firstly, nanoparticles have a very high surface-area-to-volume ratio. This means a larger proportion of their atoms are on the surface, making them significantly more reactive than the same material in bulk form. Secondly, at this scale, quantum effects become dominant, influencing properties like colour, magnetism, and electrical conductivity. For example, bulk gold is yellow and inert, while gold nanoparticles can appear red or purple and are excellent catalysts.
5. What are the two main approaches for synthesizing nanoparticles?
Scientists create nanoparticles using two primary strategies:
- Top-Down Approach: This method involves starting with a larger piece of the bulk material and breaking it down into nanosized particles. Techniques include mechanical grinding, milling, and lithography, similar to sculpting a statue from a large block of stone.
- Bottom-Up Approach: This method involves building nanoparticles from the atomic or molecular level up. It is a process of self-assembly where atoms and molecules are arranged to form the desired nanostructure, much like building with LEGO bricks. Common techniques include chemical precipitation and sol-gel synthesis.
6. Why are nanoparticles considered potentially harmful to human health?
While nanoparticles have many benefits, their small size raises safety concerns. They are small enough to be inhaled or absorbed through the skin, potentially bypassing the body's natural defence mechanisms. Once inside, they can travel to various organs, including the lungs, liver, and even the brain, by crossing the blood-brain barrier. Their high chemical reactivity can lead to the production of free radicals, causing oxidative stress and inflammation, which may damage cells over time. Research into the long-term health effects is ongoing.
7. What is the difference between natural and synthetic nanoparticles?
The key difference lies in their origin and purpose. Natural nanoparticles are produced by natural phenomena without human intervention. Examples include particles in volcanic ash, milk proteins (casein micelles), and sea spray. In contrast, synthetic nanoparticles are intentionally engineered in a lab for specific functions. Examples include silver nanoparticles in antibacterial socks, carbon nanotubes for strengthening materials, and quantum dots used in high-definition TV displays.
