COURSE - APPLIED CHEMISTRY (1004)

UNIT –III (ENGINEERING MATERIALS AND NANOCHEMISTRY)

ALLOYS

An alloy is a homogenous solid mixture of two or more elements in which at least one is a metal.

Eg:- Steel is an alloy of iron.

PURPOSE OF MAKING ALLOYS

Following are the purpose of making alloys.

1.To increase the corrosion resistance of metals (steel has more resistance to corrosion
than iron)
2. To increase the hardness of the metal (presence of carbon can make iron more hard)
3. To lower the melting point of metal (Solder melts at 180oC, which is lower than the
melting point of Sn & Pb)
4. To modify the chemical activity of the metal (Stainless steel can resist the attack of
chemicals better than iron)
5. To modify colour (Brass, an alloy of Cu (red) and Zn(white) has an attractive yellow
colour )
6.To provide better castability (Type metal (Pb + Sn+ Sb) is used for casting printing
types)
GLASSES
Glass is an amorphous, hard, brittle , transparent material obtained by fusing a mixture of sodium
carbonate, calcium carbonate and silica.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF GLASSES
Following are the different types of glasses

1.SODA GLASS OR SOFT GLASS

It is a mixture sodium and calcium silicates. The raw materials required for the
production of glass are sand, lime stone and sodium carbonate. Soda glass is used in making window glass,
bottles, bulbs, jars and dishes.

2.BOROSILICATE GLASS OR PYREX GLASS

It is a mixture of sodium aluminium borosilicate. It can withstand high temperature. It is used for
making laboratory glass wares, kitchen wares etc.
3.SAFETY GLASS
It is a type of glass which when breaks does not allow its broken pieces to fly apart. It is obtained by
placing a thin layer of vinyl plastics with an adhesive between two sheets of glass. It is commonly
used in automobiles.
4.INSULATING GLASS
It is a transparent unit of glass, prepared by two or more plates of glass separated by 6 to 13mm
gap filled with dehydrated air. This air gap provides high insulation against heat. If such a glass is
used for separating rooms, the apartment will remain cool during summer and warm during winter.
REFRACTORIES

Refractories are heat resistant materials that are used for giving linings for high temperature
furnaces, reactors etc. Eg :- Silicon carbide (Carborundum), Mullite(3Al2O3 2SiO2). The capacity
of a material to withstand the heat without appreciable deformation or softening under particular operating
conditions is called refractoriness.

Properties of Refractories

1. They are infusible and should not peel, crack or bend at the operating temperature.
2. They must withstand thermal shock
3. They can resist size change
4. They have resistance to spalling
5. They have low porosity
6. They can resist the abrasive action of gases, molten metals etc.
POLYMERS
Polymers are formed by the joining of repeating structural units on a large scale. The repeating
structural units are known as monomers. Monomers are linked to each other by covalent bonds. The
process of formation of polymers from monomers is called polymerization.
Polymerization
n CH2 = CH2 -----------------------------→ -( CH2 – CH2 ) – n
(ethene) (Polythene)
HOMO POLYMERS
Polymers formed from only one type of monomer are called homopolymers.

Eg:- Polythene, PVC, Natural rubber etc

 CO-POLYMERS

Polymers formed from more than one type of monomers are called co-polymers.

Eg:- Buna-S, Buna-N, Bakelite etc

SOME IMPORTANT POLYMERS, THEIR MONOMERS AND USES

Polymer Monomer Uses

1.Polyethylene (PE) Ethylene(ethene) For making sheets, carry bags, table cloths,
bottles, cables etc.
2.Polyvinyl chloride Vinyl chloride Pipes, bottles, bank cards, gloves, jackets, wire
(PVC) insulation etc.

3.Buna -S (SBR) Styrene + Butadiene Tyres, hoses, washers etc.

4.Buna – N (NBR) Acrylonitrile + Solvent pipes, conveyer belts, solvent tanks etc.
Butadiene
5. Nylon -6,6 Hexamethylene Carpets, fabric, fish nets, ropes etc.
diamine and adipic
acid
6. Bakelite Phenol and Handles of kitchen wares, telephones, electric
formaldehyde switches, fancy items, plug tops etc.
7. Natural rubber Isoprene Tyres, rubber bands, gloves etc.
ADDITION POLYMERS
Addition polymers are formed by the repeated addition of monomer molecules possessing double or
triple bonds.
Eg:- Polythene, Poly propylene, Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) etc
CONDENSATION POLYMERS
Condensation polymers are formed by repeated condensation reaction between two different bi-
functional or tri-functional monomeric units.
In these polymerization reactions, the elimination of small molecules such as water, alcohol, hydrogen
chloride etc. take place.
The examples are Nylon 6,6 , Terylene (Dacron)etc.
THERMOPLASTICS (THERMOPLASTIC POLYMERS)
These polymers possess intermolecular forces of attraction intermediate between elastomers and
fibres. Some common thermoplastics are Polythene, Polystyrene, PVC etc.
THERMOSETTING PLASTICS (THERMOSETTING POLYMERS)
In these polymers, covalent cross links exist between polymer molecules. Hence, they cannot be
recycled. Some common examples are Bakelite, Melmac etc.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THEMOPLASTICS AND THERMOSETTING PLASTICS
Thermoplastics Thermosetting plastics
1.They can be recycled 1.They cannot be recycled
2.They are formed by addition 2.They are formed by condensation
polymerisation polymerisation
3. They are linear polymers 3. They are cross linked polymers
4. They soften on heating 4. They becomes hard on heating
Eg:- PVC, Poly Styrene etc Eg:- Bakelite, Melmac etc.

NATURAL RUBBER
The monomer of natural rubber is isoprene.
VULCANIZATION
Heating of natural rubber with sulphur is called vulcanization. Rubber obtained thus is called
vulcanized rubber. Vulcanization introduces sulphur cross links between molecular chains of rubber
ADVANTAGES OF VULCANIZATION
1. Vulcanization improves tensile strength, abrasion resistance etc. of rubber
2. It improves the thermal resistance of rubber
3. It increases the resistance of rubber to oxidation and swelling
4. It enhances the elasticity of rubber
NANO CHEMISTRY
1 nm (1 nano meter) = 10 – 9 m

NANO MATERIALS
Nano materials are materials which have particle size in the range 1 nm – 100 nm
Eg:- Carbon Nano Tubes, (CNTs) , Fullerenes, Nano polymers etc.

NANO CHEMISTRY
It is a branch of science which deals with the synthesis and characterization of nano materials.

NANO TECHNOLOGY
It is the engineering branch which involves the design, production and application of various nano
materials in the society.
CLASSIFICATION OF NANOMATERIALS
Nanomaterials can be classified based on the number of dimensions as – Zero dimensional (0D), One-
dimensional (1D) and Two-dimensional (2D).
1. Zero-dimensional nanomaterials: Here, all dimensions (x, y, z) are at nanoscale, i.e., no dimensions
are greater than 100 nm. It includes nanospheres and nanoclusters.
2. One-dimensional nanomaterials: Here, two dimensions (x, y) are at nanoscale and the other is
outside the nanoscale. This leads to needle shaped nanomaterials. It includes nanofibres, nanotubes,
nanorods, and nanowires.
3. Two-dimensional nanomaterials: Here, one dimension (x) is at nanoscale and the other two are
outside the nanoscale. The 2D nanomaterials exhibit plate like shapes. It includes nanofilms,
nanolayers and nano coatings with nanometre thickness.
APPLICATIONS OF NANO MATERIALS
Following are the important applications of nano materials
1. They act as better catalysts
2. By using nano materials, tumors can be detected and located with incredible accuracy.
3. Nano materials are used to destroy tumors (using nano shells).
4. Nano materials can be used for DNA mapping.
5. Nano technology will enable the delivery of right amount of medicines to the exact spot of the body.
6. Used to create biocompatible joints and stents with long life.
CARBON NANO TUBE (CNT)
CNTs are nano materials which have particles in the form of cylindrical tubes with diameter less than
100 nm formed by the folding of graphene layers.

TYPES OF CABON NANO TUBES

Based on the layers of graphene sheets that comprise the CNT, there are 2 types of carbon nano tubes.
1. Single Walled Carbon Nano tubes (SWNT)
Single walled carbon nano tube is just a single nano cylinder

2 . Multi Walled Carbon Nano tubes (MWNT)

Multi walled carbon nano tubes consists of multiple concentric nano tube cylinders
 GRAPHENE
Graphene is a single layer (monolayer) of carbon atoms, tightly bound in a hexagonal honeycomb
lattice.

Layers of graphene stacked on top of each other form graphite, with an interplanar spacing of 0.335
nanometers.

PROPERTIES OF GRAPHENE:-

• High thermal conductivity

• High electrical conductivity
• High elasticity and flexibility
• High hardness
• High resistance. Graphene is approximately 200 times stronger than steel, similar to diamond
resistance, but much lighter.
• Transparent material
• Antibacterial effect. Bacteria are not able to grow in it.
USES OF GRAPHENE:-

• Sensors
• Battery electrodes
• Structural composites
• Anti-corrosion coatings
• Efficient solar panels
FULLERENES

Fullerene is one of the allotropic forms of the carbon. In fullerenes, the carbon atoms are arranged in
a series and form a cage like structure. C60 is the most common fullerene.
USES OF FULLERENES:-

• Biological antioxidants.
• For controlled drug delivery
• Catalysts
• Polymer additives
• In portable power devices
QUESTIONS
1. What are called alloys ?
2. Give the composition and uses of the following alloys.
(a) Brass (b) Bronze (c) Solder
3. Give the purposes of making alloys.
4. What is glass?
5. Explain the following type of glasses
(a) Soda glass (b) Pyrex (borosilicate) glass (c) Safety glass (d) Insulating glass
6. What do you mean by refractories ?
7. What are the important properties of refractories?
8. Define polymer.
9. What is polymerization?
10. What are called homopolymers? Give two examples.
11. What are called co-polymers? Give two examples.
12. Give the monomer and uses of the following polymers.
(a) Polythene (b) PVC (c) Buna-S (d) Buna-N (e) Nylon -66
13. Give the monomer and uses of Bakelite and Natural rubber.
14. What are addition polymers and condensation polymers? Give one example each.
15. What are Thermoplastics and Thermosetting plastics? Give one example each.
16. Distinguish between Thermoplastics and Thermosetting plastics ?
17. What is the monomer of natural rubber ?
18. What is vulcanization ?
19. What are the advantages of vulcanization ?
20. Define nano material. Give two examples.
21. What is Nano technology?
22. Explain the following
(i) Zero dimensional nano materials (ii) One dimensional nano materials
(iii) Two dimensional nano materials
23. What are the important applications of nano materials ?
24. What is Carbon nano tube ?
25. Explain the following
(i) Single walled carbon nano tube (SWCNT) (ii) Multi walled carbon nano tube (MWCNT)
26. What is Graphene?
27. Give the properties of Graphene ?
28. What are called fullerenes ? Give the important uses of fullerene.