Materials Science C (2025-2026)

Metal nanomaterials

Metallic structures with at least one dimension at the nanoscale, exhibiting unique optical, magnetic, and high catalytic properties (1-100 nm).

Metal-oxide nanomaterials

Particles with at least one dimension in the 1-100 nm range that have high magnetic properties because of high surface-area-to-volume ratio.

Ceramic nanomaterials

A type of nanoparticle that is composed of ceramics (non-organic/metallic solids).

Semiconductor nanomaterials

Materials with size-dependent optical properties driven by quaternary confinement, exhibiting bright, turntable photoluminescence and high surface-to-volume ratios.

Carbon-based nanomaterials

Nanomaterials such as graphene and fullerenes that possess high strength, lightweight properties, and high electrical/thermal conductivity.

Crystalline structure

Nanomaterials arranged in a repeating grid, resembling a 'brick wall.'

Amorphous nanomaterials

Nanomaterials that are scattered randomly with no pattern, resembling 'piles of sand.'

Interatomic bonding

Strong electrical forces (ionic, covalent, metallic) that hold atoms together to form molecules and solids.

Intermolecular forces

Weak electrostatic attractions between molecules, including London dispersion forces, dipole-dipole interactions, hydrogen bonding, and ion-dipole forces.

Size effects of nanomaterials

When materials become very small, they stop behaving like bulk matter and exhibit higher reactivity, color changes, lower melting points, quantum effects, and biological mobility.

Grain boundaries

Interfaces where tiny crystals meet, affecting material strength and diffusion.

Surface area/volume ratio

Calculated as S/V = 3/r, where S is surface area and V is volume.

Surface energy

Energy that occurs due to missing electrons, leading to 'Dangling Bonds' which are stored energy.

Surface tension

The physical 'pull' or pressure created by high surface energy, acting like an elastic skin.

Wetting angle

Measures how a liquid interacts with a no-textured surface, determining if a surface is water-loving or fearing.

Hydrophilic

A surface with a wetting angle of less than 90 degrees, resulting in a flat droplet and high 'grip.'

Hydrophobic

A surface with a wetting angle between 90 to 150 degrees, resulting in a rounded bead.

Surfactants

Stabilizer molecules that manage high surface energy to prevent nanoparticles from clumping together.

Top-down synthesis techniques

Methods such as sputtering, chemical etching, milling, and lithography used to create nanomaterials.

Sputtering

A physical vapor deposition technique used to create nanomaterials by sandblasting a target material with high-energy ions.

Chemical etching

A subtractive process using liquid chemicals (etchants) to dissolve and remove materials with nanometer precision.

Bottom-up synthesis techniques

Methods like chemical vapor deposition, self-assembly, and molecular beam epitaxy used to create nanomaterials.

Chemical vapor deposition

A process where solid materials are grown atom-by-atom from a gas.

Sol-gel process

A method used to create materials from a liquid solution at room temperature.