NANOSCIENCE

NANOSCIENCE

1. Tiny particles - 1-100 nanometres across - are called 'nanoparticles'

2. Nanoparticles contain around a few hundred atoms

3. eg. fullerenes - molecules of carbon, shaped like hollow balls or closed tubes

   • The carbon atoms are arranged in hexagonal rings.
   • Different fullerenes contain different numbers of carbon atoms

4. 1nm = 0.000 000 001m

5. Fullerenes can be joined together to form nanotubes - tiny hollow carbon tubes, a few nanometres across

   • All those covalent bonds make carbon nanotubes very strong. They can be used to reinforce graphite in tennis rackets

6. A nano particle has different properties from the 'bulk' chemical it's made from