Y9 Chemistry - Nanoparticles

Nanoparticles(particles sized…)

particles sized 1-100nm

Nano vs atoms(Nanoparticles are … than atoms/mo… but … than …/… particles)

nanoparticles are larger than atoms/molecules but smaller than fine/coarse particles

SA:V ratio(…massively as particle size decreases because… decreases faster than …)

increases massively as particle size decreases because volume decreases faster than surface area

High SA:V reactivity(more … exposed on the … so reactions happen …)

more atoms exposed on the surface so reactions happen more easily

Different properties(Nanoparticles behave differently because… atoms … their behaviour)

nanoparticles behave differently because surface atoms dominate their behaviour

Catalysts(Nanoparticles make good catalysts due to …)

nanoparticles make good catalysts due to many active sites from high SA:V

Sun creams(nanoparticles…effectively…transparent)

nanoparticles scatter UV effectively but are small enough to appear transparent

Drug delivery(Nanoparticles…easily…specific tissues)

nanoparticles enter cells easily and can target specific tissues

Electronics(Nanoparticles…and have…properties)

nanoparticles allow miniaturisation and have unique electrical properties

Silver nanoparticles(high…bacteria…antibacterials)

high SA:V increases contact with bacteria, making them effective antibacterials

Toxicity risk

nanoparticles may enter cells or bloodstream due to tiny size

Cell damage risk(high…DNA, proteins, or membranes)

high reactivity means nanoparticles could damage DNA, proteins or membranes

Environmental risk(Nanoparticles…water…organisms)

nanoparticles may enter water systems and accumulate in organisms

Uncertain long‑term effects(nanotechnology…behaviour…unknown)

nanotechnology is new so long‑term behaviour and breakdown are unknown

Manufacturing risk(inhaled…lung tissue…inflammation)

inhaled nanoparticles can reach deep lung tissue and may cause inflammation

Fine particles

Less than 2.5 micrometres

Coarse particles

2.5-10 micrometres

Explain sa:v ratio for exams

For a given mass, larger proportion of atoms at the surface