Biofilm Inhibition by Nanoparticles - Antibiofilm Agents: From Diagnosis to Treatment and Prevention - page 379

3 Diverse Applications of Nanoparticles

Nanoparticles or nanomaterials in general have diverse applications in various
fields.

3.1 Industrial Applications

Many microelectronic instruments such as transistors have adapted nanotechnology
(Thompson and Parthasarathy 2006 ). Carbon nanotubes are reported to be the
nanoscale alternatives to conventional semiconductor crystals because of their
diverse electronic properties from metallic to semiconducting (Jacoby 2002 )or
superconducting (Cristina and Kevin 2005 ). Carbon nanotubes have been shown to
be useful in making low-voltage field-emission displays (Carey 2003 ).
Nanomaterials like aerogel intercalation electrode materials, nanocrystalline alloys,
nanosized composite materials, carbon nanotubes, and nanosized transition metal
oxides have shown promise in the development of lithium-ion batteries with
increased capacity and lifecycle over

their conventional counterparts (Liu

et al. 2006a ; Scott et al. 2011 ).
Nanocrystalline materials synthesized by the sol-gel technique exhibit foam-
like structures called “aerogel” which find application as insulation material in
industries because of their negligible thermal conductivity (Hrubesh and Poco
1995 ). Paints that have incorporated nanoparticles (Titanium oxide) demonstrate
enhanced mechanical properties, such as scratch resistance. For example, the wear
resistance of paint-nanocomposite coatings is claimed to be ten times higher than
that of conventional acrylic paints (Mochizuki et al. 2013 ).
In the automobile industry, nanoparticles of carbon black act as filler in the
polymer matrix of tires and are used for mechanical reinforcement.
Nanocomposites containing the flakes of clay and plastics and nanosized clay are
used in manufacturing the exteriors of cars with superior properties like scratch
resistance compared to traditional materials.
Nanoparticles have found their way into the food industry due to their antimi-
crobial properties. For example, silver-montmorillonite (Ag-MMT) nanoparticles
were used in the prevention of food spoilage (Costa et al. 2011 ). In addition to
preventing the growth of food-spoiling microbes, Ag-MMT nanoparticles also
preserved color, odor, and firmness of the food (Costa et al. 2011 ).
Nanoparticles also have potential in controlling pollution because of their ability
to catalyze the conversion of toxic gases (carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide)
from the exhaust of vehicles and power generators. Iron nanoparticles, along with
palladium, converted detrimental products in groundwater to inert or less harmful
products (He and Zhao 2005 ). The nanoparticles were also shown to be effective in
removing organic chlorine (a carcinogen) from water contaminated with the
chlorine-based organic solvents (used in dry cleaners).