Nanoparticles

Question 1

What is the size of a nanoparticle?

Answer 1

1-100nm in size and contains few hundred atoms.
(1x10-9m or 0.000000001m)

Question 2

How are they different to bulk materials in terms of properties?

Answer 2

Tiny size of nano particles compared to bulk.
Very large surface area to volume ratio (SA:V).

Question 3

What are the advantages of nanoparticles?

Answer 3

Can lower costs.
Produce stronger and lighter wind turbines.
Improve fuel efficiency.
Save energy.

Question 4

What are the disadvantages of nanoparticles?

Answer 4

Toxic.
Substances could bind to them because of their large surface area to volume ratio.
Harm health if enter the body.

Question 5

What are the advantages of nanoparticles in sunscreen?

Answer 5

Give better skin coverage to sun screen.
Give more effective protection from sun’s ultraviolet rays.
Clear and colourless, make sun cream invisible on skin.
Do not degrade on exposure to sun.

Question 6

What are the disadvantages of nanoparticles in sunscreen?

Answer 6

Potential cell damage in body as can penetrate cell membranes and may be more reactive or toxic than bulk material.
Harmful effects on environment.

Question 7

Why should we be worried about nanoparticles?

Answer 7

No legislation in place aimed at regulating nanomaterials and if ingested, can damage person’s health.
Also closely resemble asbestos fibres, people wonder if they have similar effects on body.