5.5 - Application of Nanotechnology in Industry

Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

• Nanoscience studies the processing of substances at the nanoscale, between $1$ and $100\mathrm{nm}$.
• Nanotechnology develops substances or devices by exploiting the properties of nanoparticles.
• Nanomaterial examples include gold nanoparticles ($10\mathrm{nm}$), graphene sheets ($1\mathrm{nm}$) and carbon nanotubes with a diameter of $5\mathrm{nm}$.
• Very small particles can penetrate skin more easily and coat surfaces more evenly, enabling specialised applications.

Field	Applications
Semiconductors and electronics	Smaller, more efficient semiconductors; highly conductive wiring
Energy and electricity	Smaller, more efficient solar cells; longer-lasting batteries
Textile	Water-, fire- and dirt-resistant fabrics; anti-wrinkle and UV-protective fabrics
Medical	Highly sensitive testing devices; more effective drug-delivery systems
Agriculture	More effective pesticides; highly efficient, thorough fertilisation
Food	Nanoscale additives; antimicrobial packaging

Graphene

• Graphene is a carbon allotrope, alongside diamond and graphite, at the nanoscale.

• Its carbon atoms form covalently bonded sheets. Graphene sheets can form graphite, carbon nanotubes and fullerene balls.

  

• Physical properties: strong and hard, transparent, elastic, impermeable, a good conductor of heat and electricity, and very low electrical resistance.

• Chemical properties: graphene sheets burn at a lower temperature than graphite; graphene is the most reactive carbon allotrope. Graphene oxide has been synthesised for use as a catalyst.

• Uses include superior conductors in electronics, high-strength polymer composites, high-surface-area sensors, membranes for water filtration and separating water from gaseous mixtures, biomedical sensors, tissue engineering and drug-delivery systems, and flexible long-lasting batteries and supercapacitors.