A brief foray into the world of

Nanomaterials

Dr. Sarbari Bhattacharya

Dept. of Physics
Bangalore University
 What does the term ‘nano’ denote ?
kilo = 103 = 1000
1 kilogram = 1000 grams
milli = 10-3 = 1/1000
1 millilitre = one thousandth of a litre
nano = 10-9 = 1/1000000000
1 nanometer = 1 billionth of a metre

Nanomaterial => at least one dimension < 100nm

Categorization of nanomaterials
1d 2d 3d
confined
Eg: Quantum Wells Nanowires Nanoparticles
Bucky Balls
 Why is a dedicated study of such
materials warranted ?

What are the reasons behind the difference in

properties of nanomaterials and bulk materials ?

• Energy considerations

Schematic energy band structure of a

H atom energy levels bulk semiconductor
An analogy:
The water tank – material large tank – bulk material
confined tank – nanomaterial
Water – energy of the system

Eg : the colour of Gold

Nanoparticles
•Change in surface to volume ratio

Analogy: alveoli in the lungs

Magnetic Nanoparticles
Bulk Ferromagnet
Superparamagnetic
Nanoparticle

Bulk ferromagnetic domain structure

Some Application Potentials:
• Information data storage
Possible with self assembled nanomagnets
eg: FePt

Binary information stored 1 0 0 1 0 1

in terms of direction of
magnetization of the nanomagnets
•Targeted Drug Delivery
1. Size close to that of most biological entities of interest
2. Can be controlled by an external magnetic field
Novel approach for the local
treatment of
arthritis or osteoarthritis using
magnetically
retainable drug delivery systems

Superparamagnetic nanoparticles
being delivered in aerosols (green). A
localized magnetic field causes large
numbers of nanoparticles to
accumulate in a specific region, shown
here in red.
Conclusion :

Unique properties of nanomaterials have lend

themselves to an enormous range of applications. The
set keeps on increasing day to day. In fact, one has
probably only just started … !!!
From the following article
Nanomedicine: Magnetic nanoparticles hit the target

Alidad Amirfazli
Nature Nanotechnology 2, 467 - 468 (2007) Published online: 22
July 2007
doi:10.1038/nnano.2007.234
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Superparamagnetic nanoparticles are placed in microdroplet
aerosols (green) and delivered along the airways (brown) toward
the lungs (grey). A localized magnetic field causes large numbers
of nanoparticles to accumulate in a specific region, shown here in
red.
Figures and tables index
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Bohr atomic model