NANOTECHNOLOGY

BENEFITS AND RISKS

Benefits

Are felt in many fields, ranging from material science to electronics and from computing to medicine

Risks

Throughout the manufacturing process of nanoparticles and nanofibers

During the end use of the products, which could bring risks to health and the environment

APPLICATIONS

Daily use

It has been possible to obtain more resistant, lightweight, durable materials, with better reactivity and conductivity

Electronics

To minimize electricity consumption, increase their portability and generate chips with large storage capacities.

Medicine and health

For diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease, through the use of improved biological or chemical properties of new materials

Energy

Used in the development of catalysts for the production of biofuels

Environment

Contributes to the development of nanoparticles that clean water through chemical rections that convert pollutants into inert molecules

CLASSIFICATION OF NANOMATERIALS

Origin

They can be natural or anthropogenic (created by man)

Dimensionality

Based on the numer of nano dimensions they possess. Can be 0D, 1D, 2D, 3D

Chemical composition

Based on the chemical nature of the constituents. Can be metallic, metal oxides, carbonates and silicates

CHEMICAL ELEMENTS

NP based on carbon

Fullerenes and carbon nanotubes are the largest representatives

NP metallic

Mainly metal, used for scanning electron microscope sampling and to boost the electronic current

NP ceramics

Inorganic non-metallic solids synthesized by heat and cooled successively. Used as a catalyst.

NP semiconductors

Have metallic and non-metallic properties. Have many applications.

NP polymeric

Based is organic, have forms of nanoshpheres or nano capsules.

NP based on lipids

Contain half of the lipids and half metallic nanoparticles and are used in medical applications.

ALLOTROPIC FORMS OF CARBON

Crystalline

Have a repetitive pattern

Dimond and graphite

Amorphous

Are arranged in a disorderly manner

Can be used for the development of technological purification applicatios, as absorbents, storage of sustances, and catalyst supports

CHARACTERISTICS OF NANOMATERIALS

Physical properties

Size, form, specific surface and ratio between width and height, degree of adhesion between molecules, smoothness or roughness of their surface, dissolution capacity

Chemical properties

Molecular structure, composition and chemical purity of the surface of the aggregate, and behavior in the presence of water molecules or oil

Optic properties

Absorb light in a variable range of wavelengths depending on the size and shape of the nanoparticles in suspension

Magnetic properties

Nanoparticles with magnetic properties are iron, nickel and cobalt