What is the Difference Between Nanomaterials and

Bulk Materials?
Nanomaterials are particles that have their size in 1-100 nm range at least in one dimension. We
cannot see their particles through the naked eye. Moreover, examples of these materials include
nanozymes, titanium dioxide nanoparticles, graphene, etc. Bulk materials are particles that have
their size above 100 nm in all dimensions. We can see their particles through the naked eye. The
examples of these materials include plaster, sand, gravel, cement, ore, slag, salts, etc.

Also, the increased surface area of nonmaterial chemically more active than bulk materials. In
nanoparticles, the band gap is larger than bulk mode materials. This large band gap in
nanomaterials gives quantum confinement effect in 0-dimensinal nanoparticles.

In small nanocrystals, the electronic energy levels are not continuous as in the bulk but are
discrete (finite density of states), because of the confinement of the electronic wavefunction to
the physical dimensions of the particles. This phenomenon is called quantum confinement and
therefore nanocrystals are also referred to as quantum dots (QDs). In any material, substantial
variation of fundamental electrical and optical properties with reduced size will be observed
when the energy spacing between the electronic levels exceeds the thermal energy (kT).
Moreover, nanocrystals possess a high surface are and a large fraction of the atoms in a
nanocrystal are on its surface. Since this fraction depends largely on the size of the particle (30%
for a 1-nm crystal, 15% for a 10-nm crystal), it can give rise to size effects in chemical and
physical properties of the nanocrystal.
A large size of grain boundaries in nanomaterial increase mechanical strength. So that
hardness, yield strength, elastic modulus, toughness are increased.

NANO MATERIALS BULK MATERIALS

DEFINITION Nanomaterials are particles Bulk materials are particles

that have their size in 1-100 that have their size above 100
nm range at least in one nm in all dimensions
dimension.

SIZE Nanomaterials essentially Bulk materials essentially

have their dimensions in have all their dimensions
between 1 to 100 nm. above 100 nm.

VISUALIZATION We cannot see particles of We can see particles of most

nanomaterials from the naked of the bulk
eye. materials from the naked eye.

SURFACE TO VOLUME Large surface to volume ratio Low surface to volume ratio
RATIO leads to better performance leads to better performance
such as in catalysis, solar such as in catalysis, solar
veils, gas sensors. veils, gas sensors.

NUMBER OF ATOMS High percentage of atoms or Low percentage of atoms or

molecules on the surface molecules on the surface
which leads to unique which leads to their properties
properties.
CHEMICAL AND Their chemical and physical Their chemical and physical
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES properties are unique and properties cannot be tuned.
change by size and shape.

ADSORPTION AND Adsorption and absorption of Adsorption and absorption of

ABSORPTION molecules (gas or liquid molecules (gas or liquid
phases) are high and fast. phases) are low and slow.

EXAMPLES The example of nanomaterials The examples of bulk

include nanoenzymes, materials include plaster, sand,
titanium dioxide nano- gravel, cement, ore, slag, salts,
partilces, grapheme etc. etc.,