Knowt
Chapter 9: Nanoparticles
9.1-Nanoparticles
Nanoparticles are really tiny
They have a diameter between 1nm(1x10-9) and 100nm(1x10-7)
They have a large surface area to volume ration
The surface area to volume ratio is an important factor as it can affect the way that a particles behaves
Surface area to volume ratio = surface area / volume
As particles decrease in size, the size of their surface area increases in relation to their volume, which causes the surface area to volume ratio to increase
Nanoparticles have a very high surface area to volume ratio, this means the surface area is very large compared to the volume
This can cause the properties of a material to be different depending on whether it’s a nanoparticle or in bulk
For example, you’ll often need less of a material that’s made up of nanoparticles to work as an effective catalyst compared to a material made up of normal sized particles(containing billions of atoms rather than a few hundred)
9.2-Uses of Nanoparticles
Nanoparticles can be used in lots of things
Finding new ways to use nanoparticles is a really important area of scientific research
Here are some of the uses that have already been developed
They have a huge surface area to volume ratio so they could help make new catalysts
Nanomedicine is the idea that tiny particles, such as fullerenes, are absorbed more easily by the boy than most particles
This means they could deliver drugs right into the cells where they’re needed
Some nanoparticles have antibacterial properties
They can be added to polymers fibres that are then used to make surgical masks and wound dressings and they can also be added to deodorants
Nanoparticles are also being used in cosmetics
For examples, they’re used to improve moisturisers without making them really dry
The effects of nanoparticles on health aren’t fully understood
Although nanoparticles are useful, the way they affect the body isn’t fully understood, so it’s important that any new products are tested thoroughly to minimise the risks
Some people are worried that products containing nanoparticles have been made available before the effects on human health have been investigated properly, and that we don’t know what the long-term impacts on health will be
As the long-term impacts aren’t known, many people believe that products containing nanoscale particles should be clearly labelled, so that consumers can choose whether or not to use them
Chapter 9: Nanoparticles
9.1-Nanoparticles
Nanoparticles are really tiny
They have a diameter between 1nm(1x10-9) and 100nm(1x10-7)
They have a large surface area to volume ration
The surface area to volume ratio is an important factor as it can affect the way that a particles behaves
Surface area to volume ratio = surface area / volume
As particles decrease in size, the size of their surface area increases in relation to their volume, which causes the surface area to volume ratio to increase
Nanoparticles have a very high surface area to volume ratio, this means the surface area is very large compared to the volume
This can cause the properties of a material to be different depending on whether it’s a nanoparticle or in bulk
For example, you’ll often need less of a material that’s made up of nanoparticles to work as an effective catalyst compared to a material made up of normal sized particles(containing billions of atoms rather than a few hundred)
9.2-Uses of Nanoparticles
Nanoparticles can be used in lots of things
Finding new ways to use nanoparticles is a really important area of scientific research
Here are some of the uses that have already been developed
They have a huge surface area to volume ratio so they could help make new catalysts
Nanomedicine is the idea that tiny particles, such as fullerenes, are absorbed more easily by the boy than most particles
This means they could deliver drugs right into the cells where they’re needed
Some nanoparticles have antibacterial properties
They can be added to polymers fibres that are then used to make surgical masks and wound dressings and they can also be added to deodorants
Nanoparticles are also being used in cosmetics
For examples, they’re used to improve moisturisers without making them really dry
The effects of nanoparticles on health aren’t fully understood
Although nanoparticles are useful, the way they affect the body isn’t fully understood, so it’s important that any new products are tested thoroughly to minimise the risks
Some people are worried that products containing nanoparticles have been made available before the effects on human health have been investigated properly, and that we don’t know what the long-term impacts on health will be
As the long-term impacts aren’t known, many people believe that products containing nanoscale particles should be clearly labelled, so that consumers can choose whether or not to use them
