Nanoscience is a convergence of physics, materials science and biology, which deal with manipulation of materials at atomic and molecular scales; while nanotechnology is the ability to observe measure, manipulate, assemble, control, and manufacture matter at the nanometer scale.
Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology involves the comprehension and manipulation of matter at the nanoscale, typically ranging from 1 to 100 nanometers, where distinctive phenomena pave the way for innovative applications.
At its core, nanotechnology integrates nanoscale science, engineering, and technology, encompassing activities like imaging, measurement, modeling, and manipulation of matter at this minute scale.
Matter, whether in the form of gases, liquids, or solids, exhibits remarkable physical, chemical, and biological attributes at the nanoscale, which often diverge significantly from those observed in bulk materials or at the atomic or molecular levels.
Certain nanostructured materials showcase enhanced strength or distinctive magnetic properties compared to their counterparts of different forms or sizes. Others excel in conducting heat or electricity, exhibit heightened chemical reactivity, reflect light more effectively, or undergo color changes with alterations in size or structure.
A nanometer measures a billionth of a meter, or 10-9 of a meter. Nanotechnology encompasses the scientific exploration, engineering, and application of materials, structures, devices, and systems within the nanoscale range, typically spanning from 1 to 100 nanometers.
At this scale, materials unveil unique physical, chemical, and biological attributes, which can be harnessed to devise groundbreaking materials, devices, and systems catering to a diverse array of applications.
The foundational idea of nanotechnology traces back to physicist Richard Feynman’s 1959 lecture titled “There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom.” The term ‘nanotechnology’ itself was coined by Professor Norio Taniguchi.
Nanomaterials
Nanomaterials can be defined as materials possessing, at minimum, one external dimension measuring 1-100nm. The definition given by the European Commission states that the particle size of at least half of the particles in the number size distribution must measure 100nm or below.
Nanomaterials can occur naturally, be created as the by-products of combustion reactions, or be produced purposefully through engineering to perform a specialised function. These materials can have different physical and chemical properties to their bulk-form counterparts.
Classification of Nanomaterials Based on Structural Dimensionality
- Zero-Dimensional Nanomaterials: Zero-dimensional (0-D) structures encompass materials where all dimensions fall within the nanoscale range of 1 to 100 nm. These materials often adopt spherical shapes, although cubic and polygonal configurations with nano-scale dimensions also fall into this category.
- One-Dimensional Nanomaterials: One-dimensional (1-D) structures comprise materials where two dimensions are within the nanoscale, while the third dimension extends beyond the nanoscale (>100 nm), signifying that one dimension lies outside the nano-range.
- Two-Dimensional Nanomaterials: Two-dimensional (2-D) structures consist of materials where one dimension is confined within the nanoscale, while the other two dimensions are not constrained to the nanoscale. 2-D nanomaterials typically exhibit platelike shapes.
- Three-Dimensional Nanomaterials: Three-dimensional (3-D) structures include materials with three dimensions extending beyond the nanoscale (>100 nm). However, these materials possess a nanocrystalline structure or exhibit peculiarities at the nanoscale. They may consist of multiple arrangements of nanosize crystals, often in various orientations.
Classification Based on Chemical Composition
Organic Nanomaterials: Organic nanomaterials, as their name implies, are carbon-based nanomaterials characterized by covalent interactions, making them suitable for various biomedical applications. In recent years, there has been a notable surge in research focusing on the utility of organic nanomaterials for tissue regeneration, including bone, cartilage, skin, and dental tissues. These materials offer several advantages in dental practices, ranging from implantology to wound healing. Biomedicine benefits from their use as nanocarriers, offering enhanced colloidal stability, dispersibility, and surface reactivity. Organic nanomaterials excel in drug delivery, catering to small molecule drugs, proteins, and DNA, while also finding applications in polymers for coatings and nanoscale optoelectronics.
Inorganic Nanomaterials: Inorganic nanomaterials primarily consist of metal-based, metal-oxide-based, and ceramic nanomaterials, as well as select non-metal-based nanostructures, distinguished by their inorganic composition, which defines their optical, magnetic, electrical, and fluorescent properties. Extensive studies have highlighted the potential of inorganic nanomaterials, including gold nanoparticles, silica nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles, and quantum dots, in bioimaging, targeted drug delivery, cancer therapy, and various technological domains such as biosensing, electronics, and optical applications.
Hybrid Nanomaterials: Hybrid nanomaterials represent unique chemical amalgamations of organic and/or inorganic components, combining two or more inorganic or organic elements or a blend of both. Unlike simple mixtures, hybrid nanomaterials exhibit synergistic properties at the molecular or supramolecular level, resulting in enhanced physicochemical properties. These materials optimize magnetic, electronic, optical, and thermal properties, individually or in combination, thus improving electrochemical and biochemical attributes. Their functionality is attributed to the interface of components, offering novel applications with distinct characteristics.
Examples of Nanomaterials
Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs):
Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) are cylindrical structures composed of rolled sheets of carbon allotrope graphene, typically ranging from less than 1 nanometer (nm) to over 100 nanometers in diameter. They come in two forms: single-walled (SWCNT) and multi-walled (MWCNT), with exceptional electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and tensile strength. CNTs find applications in various fields; for instance, NASA explores their use in lightweight spacecraft construction. Different production methods for CNTs include functionalization, filling, doping, and chemical modification, which impact their reactivity and properties.
Nanocomposites:
Nanocomposites are hybrid materials formed by mixing polymers with inorganic solids at the nanoscale. They possess superior properties due to the high surface-to-volume ratio and aspect ratio of the reinforcing phase. Nanocomposites are used across diverse fields such as food, biomedical, energy storage, wastewater treatment, and automotive sectors, offering improved performance compared to monolithic materials.
Nanofibers:
Nanofibers, defined as fibers with diameters within the nanoscale, exhibit large surface area-to-volume ratio, high porosity, and mechanical strength. They find applications in energy storage, aerospace, drug delivery systems, tissue engineering, and information technology, owing to their flexibility and functionalization capabilities.
Nanowires:
Nanowires are nanostructured materials in wire form, with diameters ranging from 10-100 nm and exceptional length-to-width ratios. They enable quantum confinement effects and band-engineering, making them valuable in electronics, optoelectronics, and quantum technologies. Nanowires can be fabricated from various materials including silicon, germanium, carbon, gold, and copper.
Dendrimers:
Dendrimers are nano-sized molecules with well-defined structures, comprising a central core, interior dendritic structure, and functional surface groups. They exhibit unique properties such as hyper branching and excellent structural uniformity, making them ideal for biomedical applications including drug delivery and gene transfection, as well as catalysts and rheology modification.
Quantum Dots (QDs):
Quantum dots are semiconducting nanocrystals with diameters of 2-10 nanometers, displaying unique electronic properties. They find applications in single-electron transistors, solar cells, LEDs, lasers, quantum computing, cell biology research, microscopy, and medical imaging, owing to their tunable semiconducting properties and high surface-to-volume ratios. Potential applications also include inkjet printing and semiconductor fabrication processes.
FAQs
Q: What is Nanoscience?
Nanoscience is the study of structures and phenomena at the nanoscale, typically ranging from 1 to 100 nanometers. It encompasses various scientific disciplines such as physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering to understand and manipulate materials at the atomic and molecular levels.
Q: What is Nanotechnology?
Nanotechnology involves the design, manipulation, and application of materials and devices at the nanoscale to create functional systems with unique properties and functionalities. It aims to exploit the distinct behaviors of materials at the nanoscale to develop innovative solutions in areas such as medicine, electronics, energy, and environmental science.
Q: What are Nanomaterials?
Nanomaterials are substances with at least one dimension in the nanoscale range. They exhibit novel properties and behaviors compared to their bulk counterparts due to their high surface area-to-volume ratio and quantum effects. Nanomaterials can be synthesized from various materials such as metals, semiconductors, polymers, and ceramics, and find applications in fields like catalysis, sensing, drug delivery, and nanoelectronics.
Q: What are the potential applications of Nanotechnology?
Nanotechnology holds promise for a wide range of applications across diverse sectors. Some notable applications include:
- Medicine: Targeted drug delivery, nanoscale imaging, regenerative medicine.
- Electronics: Nanoscale transistors, high-density memory storage, flexible displays.
- Energy: Solar cells, fuel cells, energy-efficient batteries.
- Environment: Water purification, pollution remediation, sustainable materials.
- Consumer Goods: Stain-resistant fabrics, scratch-resistant coatings, lightweight materials.
Q: What are the challenges and risks associated with Nanotechnology?
While nanotechnology offers immense potential, it also presents certain challenges and risks:
- Health and Safety Concerns: The potential toxicity of some nanomaterials raises concerns about their impact on human health and the environment.
- Ethical and Societal Implications: Nanotechnology raises ethical questions regarding privacy, security, and equitable access to benefits.
- Regulatory Challenges: Developing appropriate regulations to ensure the safe and responsible use of nanomaterials and nanotechnology products is a complex task.
- Technical Hurdles: Overcoming technical challenges such as scalability, reproducibility, and cost-effectiveness is crucial for widespread adoption.
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