11 Chemistry NANOTECHNOLOGY

Research for Extended Response 1

Answer each of the following questions. Essential Chemistry is a good
reference to use. Validation - In week 9 you will be given an in class
extended response question and you will be required to write an answer
based on your home research.
1. What size are nanoparticles?

Nano particles are measured to be between 1 and 100 nanometres

Or between 1.0 10-9 metres and 1.0 10-7 metres

2. Describe what is meant by nanotechnology.

Nanotechnology is referred to as the study of nanoparticles, structures and

as well as their manufacture and potential use. Nanotechnology
supposedly began in 1981 when the first scanning tunnelling microscope
was invented. The scanning tunnelling microscope enabled us to see
individual atoms. Nanotechnology involve the ability to see and to control
individual atoms and molecules.

3. Describe how nanoparticles are used in each of the following

areas. You will also need to explain how the use of nanoparticles is an
advantage over previous products/applications.

sunscreens:
In sunscreen, zinc oxide and titanium oxide are white opaque solids that
give excellent UV protection. In previous products of sunscreen, zinc oxide
and titanium oxide were used in their macro particle form (fine particles
but larger then nanoparticles) they are still active an active ingredient in
some sunscreens and cosmetics. A disadvantage of this product is due the
visible white opaque layer that is left on the skin when the sunscreen is
applied.
The use of nanoparticles in sunscreen provides us with an advantage over
the past use of macro particles. This can be seen to the sunscreen being
invisible, in the particle size range a quantum effect occurs and the zinc
oxide and titanium oxide become invisible but still effective in protecting
against UV exposure this effect is caused due to their particle size range.

Use of Quantum dots used in biological tracers

Nano sized particles commonly show optical effects. The varied in colours
are due to the presence of different size nanoparticles of cadmium
selenide, CdSe. Quantum dots are incredibly small particles. They range
between 2 to 10 nanometres in diameter, which is equivalent to 50 atoms.
Yes, atoms. You can't measure these things using your old school shatter
proof ruler. It's this small size that gives quantum dots the unique

properties to improve our tech. The colour light that a quantum dot emits
is directly related to its size; smaller dots appear blue, larger ones are
more red. The unique colours produced by these solutions/colloids
(A colloid is a solution that has particles ranging between 1 and 1000
nanometres in diameter, yet are still able to remain evenly distributed
throughout the solution) is due to the presence of quantum dots. The
colours produced is due to the exposure to ultra violet light or black
light. The light emitted/displayed is an example of quantum effect.
When in bulk, Cadmium selenide CdSe, are neither soluble in water nor
exhibits this range of colours.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs)

Carbon nanotubes are have electrical properties which are different to the
material from which they are composed. Graphite, a conductor of
electricity, is composed of stacks of graphene sheets loosely bonded
together. When these sheets are formed in CNT structure they show quite
different patterns of conductivity to graphite. Based on their dimensions
and symmetry, CNTs can be very good conductors of electricity or
semiconductors, they have a wide range of electrical properties and
excellent thermal conductivity which indicates there are many potential
uses for CNTs such as Nano-sized transistors and diodes.
CNTs have a potential advantage in the creation of computers, and
maybe a potential material used to create future computers as they are
able to be manufactured into thinner layers then the silicon used today
and are much more efficient at carrying currents. CNTs can result in the
making of computers that are smaller, faster, energy efficient and can run
cooler than silicon based computers.

Antibacterial
In the well-known antibacterial and antifungal cream or treatment, there is
a element composition which include silver. The effects of antibacterial
and antifungal treatment is due to the release of silver ions from the silver
surface. When the silver is used in nanoparticle form, the vastly increased
surface area greatly enhances this antibacterial effectiveness. Because of
this reason, Nano silver has found a wide application range in medical
products such as surgical bandages, instruments and masks and now in
many consumer items such as eating utensils, socks, toys and
refrigerators, this is due to silver having antimicrobial effects helping to
prevent some bacterial and fungal infections. The use of nanoparticle
silver is creating a growing concern of the environment as its effect on the
environment is unknown.

Dendrimers in the medical field

Dendrimer is a nanoparticle structure designed to act as carriers. Each
dendrimer is able to carry several molecules, one that recognizes cancer
cells, another that is able to kill cancer cells, a third molecule on the
dendrimer recognizes when the cancer cell dies and the fourth is to signal
the death of the cancer cells. The aim is to use dendrimer as a carrier that
can deliver therapeutic package specifically to individual cancer cells, kill
the cell and report back to a detector on its effectiveness. These devices
would greatly reduce any side effect of the therapeutic drugs on otherwise
healthy tissue while seeking out cancer tissue at a cellular level. If the
particles were to be larger, the effect would be much more effective on the
healthy tissue.

4. Explain what is meant by a nanocomposite.

The material like tyre rubber are known as Nano composites and are made
by adding Nano sized particles of one material to a matrix of bulk material
such as a metal, polymer or ceramic (e.g. ceramic). The resulting Nano
composite can have modified properties such as improved mechanical
strength, electrical and thermal conductivity, catalytic and optical
properties.

5. Research two applications of Nano composites.

Two applications of Nano composites involve the addition of manufactured
nanotubes or graphene to plastics like polypropylene, polystyrene,
polycarbonate and epoxy resin the nanotubes may make up to 1-5% by
volume of the Nano composite but their presence may increase stiffness
by 50% and mechanical strength by 20% . The nanoparticles work by
literally slowing down or preventing crack formation through the polymer
due to their own high tensile strength.
Another application of Nano composites can be found through the
improvement of lithium ion batteries that are currently being used in
portable electronics and electric cars. The batterys ability is limited by the
nature of the graphite present in both the anode and cathode. Graphite
electrodes are brittle and have limited electrical conductivity. An important
limitation is the rate of diffusion of lithium ions through the porous
graphite matrix of the electrodes. A variety of Nano composites are being
researched as replacements for graphite based electrodes used in lithium
ion batteries. Some options include carbon nanotubes, graphene sheets
and Nano composites such as two dimensional Nano sheets of
molybdenum sulphide coated with one dimensional multiwall carbon
nanotubes.

6. Two devices that are currently used to view nanoparticles

are the atomic force microscope (AFM) and the scanning
tunnelling electron microcope (STEM or STM). Describe how

each of these devices produces and image. You may use

diagrams to assist your description.
In the STEM or the scanning tunnelling electron microscope. The
STEM was a crucial point in history in the development of modern
nanotechnology. The STEM uses a completely different approach to
produce an image by literally feeling the surface features of a
sample. To do this, ultra-fine needles are used. Only two or three
atoms cross at its tip that is moved back and forth across a surface
at a distance of around 1nanometre. A tiny voltage is applied
between the tip and the scanning surface produces a current by a
known process called tunnelling. This tunnelling current is very
sensitive to the gap distance so a feedback process is used to adjust
the tip height (gap_ to maintain a constant current. The resulting
vertical motion of the tip gives a map like image of the surface and
through the scanning back and forth a 3d image of the surface
structure at the atomic level can be produced. The STEM resolution
is said to be better than 0.1 nanometre

The second type of analytic device for nanoparticles is the AFM or

atomic force microscope. This also uses a scanning needle tip to
investigate a surface. Instead of detecting a current it operates by
measuring the force between the very fine tip and the surface being

scanned. The size of the force is dependent on the gap between the
tip and the surface.
The afm has the advantage of actually being able to pick up
individual atoms or nanoparticles on a surface and deposit them in a
desired location. The tip of the AFM is made of a very hard material
like silicon or silicon nitride. The afm also has a greater advantage
due to its ability to be used on a greater range of surfaces.