Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Cosmetics, fuel
additives
Chemical synthesis
Particle molecules
Crystals, films,
and tubes
Self-assembly
Displays
Experimental atomic
or molecular devices
Positional assembly
Quantum well lasers-
Computer chips
MEMs
Electronic devices
chip masks
Lithography
Cutting, etching, and
grinding
Precision-engineered
surfacesT
FIGURE 1.6
Summary of classification categories of the nanomaterials. NM can be classified based on their
structure and state, for example, agglomeration state. More commonly, NMs are categorized based on their
dimensions, morphology, and composition. (Adapted with permission from Nowack, B. and T. D. Bucheli.
2 0 0 7.
Environmental Pollution
150(1):5-22.)
of melted compounds (Figure 1.5c). Nanodislocation materials are distinguished by a high-volume
fraction of nanoscale dislocation collections or a configuration of definite types (Figure 1.5d).
Nanophase materials generally contain phase transformation nanoproducts. Nanosegregations
are materials that consist of grain boundaries or other element segregations with at least one dimen-
sion in the nanosized scale. Based on modern theory, nano-cluster or amorphous materials are
mainly multicomponent amorphous metallic glasses with a nano-cluster structure. The clusteriza-
tion of amorphous alloy is highly prominent after local plastic flow. As a result, the amorphous state
of alloys manufactured by melt quenching should be considered as possessing a nanostructured
shape (Glezer 2011).
NMs can be classified on the basis of their source and origin, structure, morphology, or other
physicochemical properties. Figure 1.6 summarizes these various methods of classification (Buzea
et al. 2007, Nowack and Bucheli 2007).
1.4 APPLICATION OF NANOMATERIALS
With applications in many areas, such as pharmacuticals, electronics, fuel cells, batteries, agri-
culture, the food industry, and cosmetics, NMs have certainly already established themselves in
the market. A variety of NM-containing products currently exist, such as sunscreens, electron-
ics, paints, varnishes, stain-resistant and wrinkle-free textiles, windows, bicycles, automobiles, and
sports equipment such as longer-lasting tennis balls using butyl rubber and nano-clay compos-
ites. Owing to their ability to absorb ultraviolet (UV) light, numerous products exist to provide
UV-blocking coatings on glass bottles. For example, nanosized titanium dioxide is widely used in
sunblock creams and self-cleaning windows, and nanoscale silica is being available as a filler in a
series of products, including cosmetics and dental fillings (Alagarasi 2011).
