uses/issues of nanoparticles

what are the uses of nanoparticles?

- catalysts

- in nanomedicine

- for their antibacterial properties

why are nanoparticles used as catalysts?

when using things as catalysts, its the exposed surface area thats important. so that means we need much less of a material made of nanoparticles than we would a material made out of bigger particles because nanoparticles have a HUGE SA:VOL ratio.

why are nanoparticles used in nanomedicine?

their small size and high sa:vol ratio enables enable targeted drug delivery. an example is the use of fullerenes to deliver drugs around the body.

why are nanoparticles used in electrical currents?

some nanoparticles can conduct electricity so theoretically we could make tiny computer chips.

why are nanoparticles used for their antibacterial properties?

for example, silver nanoparticles have antibacterial properties. for example, we can infuse them into surgical masks to kill bacteria.

what are the issues of nanoparticles?

nanoparticles are a relatively new thing, so its effects on our bodies aren't fully understood yet.