Lesson 4.10 - Nanoparticles

Nanoscience

Nanoscience involves studying structures under 100nm in size.

They are usually composed of a few hundred atoms.

Nanoparticles

A nanoparticle is smaller than a fine particle.

They have a high surface area to volume ratio.

Surface area

The surface area to volume ratio increases proportionately with the length of the side of the particle.

Properties

Nanoparticles have different properties to non-nano particles, even if they contain the same element(s).

This is because of the high surface area to volume ratio.