1. Introduction to Nanomaterials
Materials & Nanotechnology
Dr Raymond Whitby

2. The Royal Society
“We define (the nanoscale) to be from 100nm down to the size of atoms (approximately 0.2nm) because it is at this scale that the properties of materials can be very different from those at a larger scale”

3. Geometry
Nanomaterials are materials that have a structural component smaller than 100 nanometers (nm) in at least one dimension x y z
100nm

4. Componentry
At present there is no clear differentiation between nanomaterials and molecules, therefore, traditional chemistry can be viewed as a form of nanoscience.
Single polymer
strand
atom
cluster / particle
benzene
Deciding factors? Stability, chemical reactivity or inertness, solubility, inorganic materials?

5. Importance of nano (1)
Two main reasons cause nanomaterial properties to significantly change from their bulk scale equivalents, those being an increase in the relative surface area and quantum effects. These can led to dramatic changes or enhancement of their fundamental properties such as material strength, electrical or thermal characteristics and heightened (bio)chemical reactivity.
30nm = 5% of atoms on surface
10nm = 20% of atoms on surface
3nm = 50% of atoms on surface
N.B. not to scale!