nanotechnology validation Flashcards
describe the structure and bonding of fullerenes
Structure: ‘cage structure’ of carbon atoms that resembles a soccer ball
Bonding:
very little attraction between molecules – weak intermolecular forces
each carbon atom is covalently bonded to 3 other atoms
what are the properties of fullerenes
High MP (sublimes at 800K)
Soft
Semiconductor of heat and electricity
**other properties are normal CMS properties
describe the structure and bonding of diamond
Structure: Each carbon atoms is covalently bonded to 4 other atoms
Bonding: 3D arrangement called a tetrahedron
describe the properties of diamond
High melting point (>3550˚C)
Hard
Non-conductors of heat & electricity
describe the structure and bonding of graphite
Structure:
flat 2D sheets of interlocking hexagonal rings called graphene
Graphite consists of multiple layers of graphene stacked on top of one another with weak bonds between them
bonding:
Each carbon atom is covalently bonded to 3 other atoms
1 valence electron from each carbon atom remains delocalised
what are the properties of graphite
High melting point
Soft
Good conductor of heat and electricity
what is nanotechnology
Study and application of structures between 1 and 100 nanometres in size by controlling and manipulating the structures size and shape at the nanoscale
involves molecular sized machines and processes, using nanoparticles
Applies in many scientific fields: chemistry, biology, physics
give a brief history of the development of nanotechnology
Idea born in 1959 from physicist Richard Feynman exploring idea of building things at atomic and molecular level
Nanotechnology began 1981, IBM scientists built the first scanning tunnelling microscope, allowing us to see a single atom
Further developments allow us to capture images at the atomic level
what are nanoparticles
particles ranging from 1 to 100 nanometres in diameter
usually contain only a few hundred atoms
what are some key properties of nanoparticles
- being extremely small in size ( between 1 and 100
nanometres)(1nm = 1 billionth of a metre) - high surface area to volume ratio than its bulk
materials - more surface area available for
interactions with other materials
what is the quantum effect
Different colours produced by solutions due to the prescence of nanosized particles called quantum dots
e.g. zinc oxide are white opaque solids that give excellent UV protection at bulk scale. When used in the form of nanoparticles, they become invisible while still providing UV protection.
how do nanoparticles differ from the bulk material of which they are made
differ in reactivity
differ in colour
differ in melting point
how do nanoparticles differ in reactivity from the bulk material of which they are made
This is because they differ in the number of atoms that they’re composed of:
- Nanoparticles usually contain few to a few thousand atoms, as oppose to their bulk materials which may contain billions
- This causes nanomaterials to behave differently than their bulk materials, such as in chemical reactions
- E.g. gold isn’t usually used as a catalyst for chemical reactions but when it’s broken down to approximately 5 nanometres it can act as a catalyst and do things like oxidizing carbon monoxide
how do nanoparticles differ in colour from the bulk material of which they are made
due to quantum effect
This is dependent on the size of the nanoparticles (quantum dots)
electron cloud surrounding a nanoparticle will absorb different wavelengths of light than its bulk material, therefore making it appear a different colour
e.g. zinc oxide are white opaque solids that give excellent UV protection at bulk scale.
When used in the form of nanoparticles, they become invisible while still providing UV protection.
how do nanoparticles differ in melting point from the bulk material of which they are made
Nanoparticles will have a lower melting point
Relates to the number of exposed atoms on the surface of nanoparticles
With a greater number of atoms exposed, heat can break the bond between nanoparticles at lower temperatures
The smaller the particle, the lower its melting point