Nanoparticles
What Is A Nanoparticle
 Nanoparticles are 1 nm to 100 nm in size. They
have very large surface area to volume ratios. The
properties of nanoparticulate substances are
different from those of the same substance in bulk.
 Most of the nanoparticles are made up of about
100 atoms.
Uses Of Nanoparticles
Nanoparticles can be used for many things such as:
 Self-Cleaning Glass
 Sun Cream
 Cosmetics
 Medicine (Drug Delivery)
 Antimicrobial coatings
 Technology
Self Cleaning Windows
 Some windows have very thin layers of titanium dioxide
added. Titanium dioxide is a photocatalyst: it's a material
that makes chemical reactions happen when the right kind
of light shines on it. The right kind of light for titanium
dioxide is ultraviolet (UV), the super-blue, high-energy part
of sunlight that our eyes can't see, but that nevertheless can
give us sunburn even on a cloudy day. When ultraviolet
light hits the titanium dioxide coating of a self-cleaning
window, electrons are generated. These turn water
molecules from the air into hydroxyl radicals that make
chemical oxidation and reduction reactions take place on
the coating. In effect, the hydroxyl radicals attack organic
(carbon-based) dirt and chop it up into smaller pieces that
are much easier for rain to wash away.
Sun Cream
Sunscreen contains one or both of the following types of
active ingredients:
 Chemical absorbers, also called organic sunscreens, which
absorb UV radiation and stop it penetrating the outer layer
of your skin. However, they can irritate and even cause
allergies in some people.
 Physical blockers (or inorganic sunscreens), which are zinc
oxide and titanium dioxide, reflect and scatter UV
radiation. They are generally considered safer than
chemical absorbers, are better for sensitive skin and
renowned for their broad-spectrum UV radiation-blocking
abilities.
Cosmetics
 The two main uses for nanoparticles in cosmetic products
are UV filtering and delivery of active ingredients.
 A wide range of nanostructures have been proposed as
delivery mechanisms for cosmetic ingredients in
moisturisers, anti-ageing creams, and other skincare
products - from lipid nanoparticles to dendritic or
hyperbranched polymers. Again, these nanostructured
materials show much more efficient delivery of the active
ingredient to the skin cells.
 Lipid nanoparticles are particularly effective, as they can
merge with the lipid bilayer in cell membranes, facilitating
the delivery of compounds which would otherwise not be
able to enter the cell.
Medicine (Drug Delivery)
 One application of nanotechnology in medicine currently
being developed involves employing nanoparticles to
deliver drugs, heat, light or other substances to specific
types of cells (such as cancer cells). Particles are engineered
so that they are attracted to diseased cells, which allows
direct treatment of those cells. This technique reduces
damage to healthy cells in the body and allows for earlier
detection of disease. Therefore, the patient won’t feel as ill
whilst having treatment such as chemotherapy. Also, it
means that specific cells and places can be targeted.
Antimicrobial Coatings
 Microbes such as bacteria and viruses can be stopped by
anti-microbial coatings.
 However, there are an increasing amount of microbes that
are becoming resistant to this coatings
 Therefore, scientists have made coatings containing silver
nanoparticles that kill this resistant microbes.
Technology
 Computers can be faster, smaller, and more powerful and
consume far less power, with longer-lasting batteries.
Circuits made from carbon nanotubes could be vital in
maintaining the growth of computer power.
 Nanoparticles or nanofibers in fabrics can enhance stain
resistance, water resistance, and flame resistance, without a
significant increase in weight, thickness, or stiffness of the
fabric. For example, “nano-whiskers” on pants make them
resistant to water and stains.
Future Uses
 In the future, nanotechnology coatings or additives will
even have the potential to allow materials to "heal" when
damaged or worn. For example, dispersing
nanoparticles throughout a material means that they can
move to fill in any cracks that are made over time.
 In China and U.K., nanocarbon fibres have been produced.
The production of nanofibres offers the potential of using
the woven reinforcement as body armor. The future
soldier’s uniform would incorporate soft woven ultra strong
fabric with capabilities to become rigid when a soldier
breaks his legs and would protect him against pollution,
poisoning and enemy hazards.