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Mechanical Applications of nanomaterials

Today we will discuss the mechanical applications of nanomaterials.

1.)    Tougher and Harder Cutting Tools. a) Cutting tools made of nanomaterials, such as tungsten carbide, tatalum carbide, and titanium carbide, are much harder, much more wear-resistant, erosion-resistant, and last longer than their conventional (large grained) counterparts.

b)      For the miniaturization of microelectronics circuits, the industry needs micro drills (drill bits with diameter less than the thickness of an average human hair or 100 um) with enhanced edge retention and far better wear resistance. As nano-crystalline carbides are much stronger, harder, and wear-resistant, they are currently being used in these micro drills. Continue reading “Mechanical Applications of nanomaterials”

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Electrical applications of nanomaterials

Last time I have discussed the magnetic and medicinal applications of nanomaterials. Today to extend it further I will discuss the electrical properties of nanomaterials or nanoparticles.


Electrical properties of nanomaterials:

1.)    High Energy Density Batteries. As we all know that conventional and rechargeable batteries are used in almost all applications that require electric power. The energy density or storage capacity of these batteries is quite low requiring frequent recharging. Nanocrystalline materials are good materials for separator plates in batteries because they can hold considerably more energy than conventional ones. Nickel-metal hydride batteries made of nanocrystalline nickel and metal hydrides are envisioned to require far less frequent recharging and to last much longer. Continue reading “Electrical applications of nanomaterials”

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Magnetic properties of nanomaterials

Let us today discuss the magnetic properties of nanomaterials or nanoparticles. Magnetic nanoparticles are those which can be affected using magnetic field. These particles usually contain magnetic elements like iron, nickel, cobalt etc. Magnetic nanoparticles show a variety of unusual magnetic behaviour when compared to the bulk materials, mostly due to surface or interface effects, including symmetry breaking, electronic environment or charge transfer and magnetic interactions. Let us discuss some other magnetic properties of nanomaterials with examples: Continue reading “Magnetic properties of nanomaterials”

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Electrical Properties of nanomaterials

Last time I have discussed the optical properties of nanomaterials. Today I will discuss the electrical properties of the nanomaterials or nanoparticles. The properties like conductivity or resistivity are come under category of electrical properties. These properties are observed to change at nanoscale level like optical properties. The examples of the change in electrical properties in nanomaterials are: Continue reading “Electrical Properties of nanomaterials”

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Optical properties of nanomaterials

Do you know that the properties of a substance are also measured by taking large or bulk sample (for example of size 1023 atoms/ molecules) volume? But when these properties were checked for same material at nanoscale level then large differences were observed in many physical properties. This means at nanoscale level, physical properties become size dependent. Today we will discuss the optical properties of nanomaterials: Continue reading “Optical properties of nanomaterials”

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Sol Gel Technique for nanomaterials

Why the name sol-gel and technique

The sol-gel technique for synthesis of nanomaterials  is a wet- chemical technique. It is also known as chemical solution deposition. Such techniques are used for the fabrication of materials starting from a chemical solution (sol, short for solution) which acts as the precursor for an integrated network (or gel) of either discrete particles or network polymers. Precursors in the form of acetates or carbonates or nitrates are taken and then dissolved in deionized water. This starting material is used to produce a colloidal suspension known as gel. After that a gelling agent for example, polyvinyl alcohol is added and this will produce a gel. Continue reading “Sol Gel Technique for nanomaterials”

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Ball Milling method for synthesis of nanomaterials

There are different methods for synthesis of nanomaterials. Today I will discuss the ball milling method.

Steps in ball milling method;

1. As the name suggests, the ball milling method consists of balls and a mill chamber. Therefore over all a ball mill contains a stainless steel container and many small iron, hardened steel, silicon carbide, or tungsten carbide balls are made to rotate inside a mill (drum). Continue reading “Ball Milling method for synthesis of nanomaterials”