Topic 9d- Materials and nanoscience Flashcards
Properties of graphene.
Many “one atom thick” layers.
Excellent electrical and thermal conductor.
Strongest known substance.
Transparent.
Elastic.
What are fullerenes?
Fullerenes are 3D hollow shapes made of carbon.
What is the Buckminster fullerene and how many carbon atoms form it?
The Buckminster fullerene is made up of 60 carbon atoms joined to make a sphere. Weak intermolecular forces between the carbons make it easier to melt than diamond or graphite.
What are some uses of fullerines?
Can be used to deliver drugs (act as cages to trap drug molecules and carry them round the body) as well as act as lubricants and catalysts.
What are carbon nanotubes?
Carbon nano-tubes are cylindrical fullerenes. They are exceptionally strong and very good conductors of heat and electricity.
What are some uses of carbon nanotubes?
Semi-conductors in electrical circuits, catalysts and reinforcing materials (e.g. tennis rackets.)
Why are catalysts often attached to carbon nanotubes?
Since nanotubes have a large surface area there is more chance that the reactants will catalyse with the catalyst.
How big is a nanometer?
1 x 10^-9 m
What are some uses of nanotechnology?
Sun screen- high surface area makes them good at blocking UV as well as being colourless.
What are some concerns surrounding nanotechnology?
Toxicity and environmental impacts as well as potential impact on global economics.
What are polymers and their properties?
Long chain molecules which are chemically unreactive, electrical insulators, waterproof, flexible and can be moulded into shape (for example shopping bags.)
What are properties of clay ceramics?
Created by baking a starting material in an oven, (usually silicon or oxygen making them “silicates”.)
They are hard, durable and waterproof.
What are composite materials?
Two or more different types of material combined to improve a property of that material for example strength.
What is glass and how is it formed?
Glass is formed by rapidly cooling silicon dioxide mixed with other substances to form a disordered non-crystalline solid. Glasses are transparent, easy to shape when hot but brittle when cold.
