Nanochemistry

Nanochemistry  Nanochemistry is the study of chemistry at the nanoscale. One billionth of a meter is one nanometer. To further understand this extremely little length, a human hair may be demonstrated to be one hundred thousand nanometers thick. At least one dimension of a material must be 1-100 nm for it to be termed a nanomaterial.

Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

Although the principles of nanoscience and nanotechnology have been recognized in scientific and industrial circles for much longer, they have only recently been known to far wider portions of society. Of fact, the use of these technologies to produce more and varied items has proven beneficial in this regard. Sunscreen, for example, is a well-known example. Nanoparticles provide UV protection for these items. The vast surface area of nanoparticles efficiently absorbs damaging UV radiation from sunscreens.

The Emergence of Nanochemistry

Long before the term nanotechnology came into use, the ideas and concepts behind nanoscience and nanotechnology started with the speech of Nobel laureate, famous American theoretical physicist Richard Feynman’s “There’s a Lot Below” at the American Physical Society meeting on December 29, 1959 at the California Institute of Technology (CalTech). Feynman described a method for scientists to manipulate and control individual atoms and molecules in his address. Professor Norio Taniguchi created the term nanotechnology more than a decade later while researching ultra-precision machining. The scanning tunneling microscope, which can “see” individual atoms, was invented in 1981, which is regarded the beginning of contemporary nanotechnology. The concept of “there is a lot of room at the bottom” popularized by Richard Phillips Feynman attracted attention to the relevance of nanochemistry and led to a surge in research in this sector. Chemistry in nanotechnology is about achieving more with less material. As a result, nanochemistry is critical to the long-term growth of our economy and society. Nanochemistry Applications Nanotechnology applications are realizing the promise of nanotechnology to help society in both predictable and unforeseen ways after years of study and development. Many technological and business areas, including information technology, homeland security, medical, transportation, energy, food safety, and environmental research, are benefiting from nanotechnology. We shall try to provide some examples of nanotechnology’s fast expanding advantages and uses.

Everyday Materials and Processes

The capacity to manipulate the structures of materials at extremely tiny sizes to obtain specific qualities is at the heart of nanotechnology’s many benefits, considerably increasing the materials science toolset. Materials can be made stronger, lighter, more durable, reactive, sieve-like, or better electrical conductors using nanotechnology, among other features. Many ordinary commercial goods based on nanoscale materials and techniques are now on the market and in use. Nanoscale additions or surface treatments to textiles can give minor ballistic energy deflection or assist them resist wrinkling, staining, and bacterial development in personal body armor. Transparent nanoscale coatings over eyeglasses, computer and camera displays, windows, and other surfaces can make them water and residue repellent, anti-reflective, self-cleaning, UV or infrared light resistant, anti-fog, antimicrobial, scratch-resistant, or electrically conductive. Washable, durable “smart textiles” integrated with flexible nanoscale sensors and electronics for health monitoring, solar energy collection, and energy harvesting through motion are being developed. Nanochemistry applications for lightening airplanes, watercraft, and spacecraft can result in considerable fuel savings. Nanoscale additions in polymer composite materials are utilized to make lightweight, stiff, durable, and flexible baseball bats, tennis rackets, bicycles, motorcycle helmets, car components, luggage, and power tool enclosures. Carbon nanotube sheets are presently being manufactured for use in future airplanes. Because of their lightness and conductivity, they are suited for applications such as electromagnetic shielding and thermal control. Enzyme nano-bioengineering can be derived from wood chips, maize stalks, unfertilized perennial grasses, and other sources. Its goal is to make it possible to convert cellulose to ethanol for fuel. Cellulosic nanoparticles have showed promise in a wide range of industries, including electronics, building, packaging, food, energy, healthcare, automotive, and military. Cellulosic nanoparticles are expected to be less costly than many other nanomaterials and to have a high strength-to-weight ratio, among other benefits. High-power rechargeable battery systems, thermoelectric materials for temperature control, tires with lower rolling resistance, high efficiency/low cost sensors and electronics, thin-film smart solar panels, and fuel additives for cleaner exhaust and extended range are among the nano-engineered materials used in automotive products. Compilation and Translation by: B. Serhat Cengiz Sources • https://www.grace.edu/what-is-nanochemistry-a-faculty-blog-by-andrew-zhou/ • https://www.nano.gov/about-nanotechnology/applications-nanotechnology • https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/careers/chemical-sciences/fields/nanochemistry.html • https://www.encyclopedia.com/science/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/nanochemistry • https://www.azolifesciences.com/article/An-Overview-of-Nanochemistry.aspx • https://www.nano.gov/nanotech-101/what/definition#:~:text=Physicist%20Richard%20 Feynman%2C%20the%20father,%2C%20materials%20science%2C%20and%20engineering.