Superconductors and Nano

Materials

CO-5
 What is Nano ?

• means “on a scale of nanometres”

• Nanotechnology deals with various structures
of matter having dimensions of the order of a
billionth of a meter (10 𝑚).
−9

Things to remember

Modern nanotechnology truly began in 1981, when the scanning tunneling

microscope allowed scientists and engineers to see and manipulate individual
atoms
Nano Science Vs Nano Technology
• The study of phenomena occurring in nano
( 10−9𝑚 ) range, where the properties of
matter changes drastically, is called
nanoscience.

• Nanotechnology is the design, synthesis,

characterization and application of
materials and devices on the nanoscale.
 Significance of nanoscale
• When the particle size is reduced to nano range,
the interactions between atoms get changed and
the material exhibits some novel properties which
are completely different from their bulk
counterparts. At nanoscale, the quantum effects
dominate over the classical properties of atoms.
Properties of nanomaterials
 These are hard
 Exceptionally strong
 Ductile (flexible) at high temperatures
 Chemically reactive
 Wear resistant (Ability to resist material loss by mechanical action)
 What exactly makes
Nano materials
different ?

2. Quantum
1. S/V Ratio
Confinement

• Nanomaterials have a relatively larger surface

to volume ratio as compared to the bulk
material. By this property the nano materials
possess high chemical reactivity and strength.
• At nanoscale the quantum effects begin to
dominate the behavior of matter which leads to
novel optical, electrical and magnetic behavior
of materials.
 Some properties which change as the size of
the particle decreases are

• Opaque substances become transparent

(copper)
• Inert materials become catalysts (platinum)
• Stable materials turn combustible (aluminium)
• Solids turn into liquids at room temperature
(gold)
• Insulators become conductors (silicon)
 Basic Concept of Quantum Dots, Quantum
wires and Quantum well
• Nanomaterials Nanomaterials are the materials with average
particle size of the order of 10−9𝑚. Nanomaterials can be nano
sized in one dimension (thin surface coatings), two dimensions
(nanotubes and nanowires) or in all three dimensions.
1. Quantum well If only one dimension of a three dimensional
structure is reduced to the nanorange while the other two
dimensions remain large then the resulting structure is known
as “quantum well”.
2. Quantum wire If two dimensions are reduced to nanorange
and one remains large then the structure is called a “quantum
wire”.
3. Quantum dot When all the three dimensions reach the
nanorange then the structure is called “quantum dot”.
 Fabrication of Nano Materials
• There are mainly two approaches to fabricate nanostructures
1. Top down approach
• It consists of cutting away the material from a large object until
the desired size is obtained. But this process involves material
wastage. Example: CVD
Top-down method is used by computer chip manufacturers.
2. Bottom up approach
It consists of assembling of atoms and molecules into a
structure. This is carried out by a sequence of chemical
reactions controlled by catalysts. This approach is time
consuming.
Example: Sol Gel
• Bottom-up approach to manufacturing is analogous to the way biological
systems are made.
 Classification of nanomaterials
• Nanomaterials can be classified as
 Carbon based nanomaterials
 Nanomaterials of metals and alloys
 Nanopolymers
 Nanoceramics
 Nanocomposites
 Biological nanomaterials

Here we will study only carbon based nanomaterials.

These are also called fullerenes.
 Richard E. Smalley (Nobel Prize winning in 1996) discovered the buckyball (C60)
and other fullerenes (1985)

• Fullerenes Fullerenes are allotropes of carbon. These

structures are graphene sheets rolled into tubes or spheres.
Graphene is a one-atom thick layer of graphite.
• The 𝐶60 molecule, called as bucky ball, is the smallest member of
the fullerene family. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are also the
member of this family. These two structures possess some very
unusual chemical and physical properties.
 Bucky balls (𝑪𝟔𝟎 molecule)
• It is a hollow cluster of 𝟔𝟎 carbon atoms shaped like a football.
Just like the case of graphite, in bucky ball each carbon atom is
bonded to three adjacent carbon atoms and arranged in a
sphere about a nanometer in diameter.

• It is named as “Buckminsterfullerene” or “Buckyball” after the

name of American architect R. Buckminister Fuller.

• Buckyball is the roundest and most symmetrical large molecule

known to the world. It has carbon atoms at 60 chemically
equivalent vertices that are connected by 𝟑𝟐 faces, 𝟏𝟐
of which are pentagonal and 𝟐𝟎 hexagonal. Of these, no two
pentagons share a vertex.
Bucky balls (𝑪𝟔𝟎 molecule)
 Creation of Buckyballs
• Buckyballs occur in nature in greater amounts. These
are known to exist in interstellar dust and in geological
formations on earth.
• In laboratory the buckyballs can be created by
vaporizing carbon placed between two carbon
electrodes. When an electric arc is generated
between two electrodes, placed very near to
each other in a vacuum chamber, then
buckyballs are generated along with carbon soot.
Then they are separated using solvents such as
benzene.
 Properties of Buckyballs
• Because of spherical shape, Buckyballs have extremely stable
configuration, which is resilient to impact and deformation. This
means if we squeeze a buckyball and then release it then it will result
in its popping back in shape. Or if it is thrown against an object it will
bounce back.

• Buckyballs can withstand very high temperatures and pressures.

• Buckyballs do not bond to each other. They, however, stick together
via Vander Waals forces.

• The carbon atoms of buckyballs can react with other atoms and
molecules, leaving the stable spherical structure still intact.

• New molecules can be created by adding other molecules to the

outside of a buckyball and by trapping smaller molecules inside a
buckyball.
 Uses of Buckyballs
1. Almost every carbon atom in the 𝐶60 molecule can absorb a hydrogen atom
without disrupting the buckyball structure. This property suggests that buckyballs
can be a better storage medium for hydrogen fuel than metal hydrides.

2. Attaching metals onto the surface of fullerenes offers the possibility for
buckyballs to become catalysts.

3. Because of their shape, they can be used to ball bearings and thus allow surfaces
to roll overreach other, making the fullerenes as lubricants.

4. When buckyball is doped with potassium, it becomes a superconductor.

5. Buckyballs can deliver drugs directly to the infected regions of the body.

6. Buckyballs have the ability to act as antioxidants; counteracting free radicals in

the human body.

7. Anti-aging and anti-wrinkle creams are also being developed using buckyballs.
8. Buckyballs are being used to develop strong polymers.

9. Buckyballs are being used for production of diamonds and carbides as cutting
tools or hardening agents.
 Carbon Nanotubes (CNT)
• In 1990 Richard Smalley gave the concept if buckyballs get big
enough then they become carbon cylinders. Sumio Lijima discovered
these cylinders in 1991 and named them nanotubes.

• Carbon nanotube (CNT) is a sheet of graphite rolled into

a tube with bonds at the end of the sheet that close the
tube.

• The nanotube dimensions are variable and can be as small as

0.4 𝑛𝑚 in diameter and several millimeters in length.

• CNTs have a length to diameter ratio greater than

10,00,000.
 Types of nanotubes
• Nanotubes are of two types
• Single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT)
1. A SWNT is a one atom thick layer of graphite wrapped into seamless
cylinder.
2. Most single-walled nanotubes(SWNT) have a diameter close to
1nm, with a tube length that can be many thousands of times
longer.
3. SWNTs are very important carbon nanotube because they exhibit
important electric properties that are not shared by the multi-
walled carbon nanotubes(MWNT) varients.

• Multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT)

1. A MWNT consists of multiple concentric nanotubes cylinders i.e. they
consist of multiple layers of graphite rolled in on themselves to form
a tube shape.
 Structure of carbon nanotubes
• The structure of a nanotube can be
specified by a chiral vector (𝑛, 𝑚) which
defines how the graphite sheet is rolled up.
𝑛 and 𝑚 are integers if the vector equation
 Properties of nanotubes
• The most important properties of CNTs are
• a) Strength: CNTs are the strongest and stiffest materials on earth, in
terms of tensile strength and elastic modulus respectively. This strength
results from the covalent sp² bonds formed between individual carbon
atoms.
• CNTs are not nearly as strong under compression. Because of their
hollow structure and high aspect ratio, they tend to
undergo buckling when placed under compressive, torsional or bending
stress.

• b) Thermal: All nanotubes are expected to be very good thermal

conductors along the tube, exhibiting a property known as ballistic
conduction, but good insulators laterally to the tube axis. The
temperature stability of carbon nanotubes is established to be up to 2800
degrees Celsius in vacuum and about 750 degrees Celsius in air.

• c) Chemical Reactivity: The chemical reactivity of a CNT is, compared

with a graphitesheet, enhanced as a direct result of the curvature of the
CNT surface.
• d) Electrical Conductivity: Depending on their chiral vector, carbon
nanotubes with a small diameter are either semi-conducting or
metallic.
 Uses of nanotubes
• Nanotubes based transistors have been made that operate at room temperature.

• The CNTs are used as a vessel for transporting drugs into the body.

• Due to its unusual current conduction mechanism, the wires made from nanotubes
can conduct huge amount of current with less power wastage.

• Due to its mechanical properties, nanotubes can be used to produce from everyday
items like clothes, sports gear to bullet proof jackets and space suits.

• Chemical vapors are also being detected using nanotubes. Sensors using carbon
nanotubes have shown to detect chemical vapors with concentrations in the parts
per billion.

• CNTs have also been implemented in nano electro-mechanical systems (NEMS),

including mechanical memory elements and nanoscale electric motors.

• Bulk CNTs have already been used as composite fibers to improve the mechanical,
thermal and electrical properties of the bulk product.
 Applications of nanotechnology
• The range of commercial products, containing nanomaterials, is very broad,
including stain resistant and wrinkle free clothes, cosmetics, sunscreens, electronic,
paints and varnishes.
• Nanotechnology will provide new methods to effectively utilize the current energy
resources. Solar cells can be more cost effective using nanotechnology.
• Nanotechnology helps in medical diagnostics by providing faster, cheaper and
pirtable diagnostic equipments.
• There are novel U-V coatings on glass bottles which protect beverages from damage by
sunlight and loner lasting tennis balls using butyl-rubber/nano clay composites.
• Nanoscale titanium dioxide is finding applications in cosmetics and self cleaning
windows and nanoscale silica is used as filter in a range of products including cosmetics
and dental fillings.
• Nanocoatings and nanocomposites are finding uses in diverse consumer products such
as windows, sports equipments, bicycles and automobiles.
• Sensors based on nanotechnology are more sensitive and hence more effective.
• The strength and light weight of nanomaterials make them suitable for use in
tear resistant clothed, body armors, sport materials etc.
• Nanomedia could result in a million times greater storage density.
• Computers can be made powerful and smaller using nanotechnology.
 • NANO MATERIALS
Q. 1. What is nano science?
Ans. Nano science deals with the study of phenomena at a very small scale
10−9𝑚 (1 𝑛𝑎𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟) to 10−7𝑚 (100 𝑛𝑎𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟) where properties of matter differ
significantly from those at larger scales.
Q. 2. What is the range of the nanoscale?
Ans. Nanoscale ranges from 1 to 100 𝑛𝑚 in at least one dimension.
Q. 3. What is the smallest size (in meters) that the human eye can see?
Ans. The naked eye can see down to about 20 𝑚𝑖𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑠 (2 × 10−5𝑚).
Q. 4. What are nanomaterials?
Ans. The materials with average particle size less than 100 𝑛𝑚 are known as
nanomaterials. Nanomaterials can be nanoscale in one dimension (e.g. surface films), two
dimensions (e.g. strands or fibers) or three dimensions (e.g. perticles). They can exist in
single, fused, aggregated or agglomerated forms with spherical, tubular and irregular
shapes. Common types pf nanomaterials includes nanotubes, dendrimers, quantum dots
and buckyballs.
Q. 5. How nanomaterials can be formed?
Ans. Nanomaterials can be made by the top to bottom technique (by peeling material
away from a larger object) or by the bottom up technique (by assembling atoms and
molecules into the desired shape).
Q. 6. Why are the properties of nanoscale objects different than those of the same
materials at the bulk scale?
Ans. Nanoscale materials behave very differently to the same materials on the bulk
scale. There are two main reasons for this
Nanomaterials have a very large surface compared to their volume.
On the nanoscale quantum effects begin to take over.
Q. 7. Give a short explanation of why the nanoscale is special?
Ans. Nanosized particles exhibit different properties than larger particles of the same
substance. Studying phenomena at this scale can improve and possibly change our
understanding of matter and lead to new questions and answers in many areas.
Q. 8. How nanoscale can be visualized?
Ans. One can visualize the nanoscale with the help of scanning electron microscope
(SEM), scanning tunnelling microscope (STM) and atomic force microscope (AFM).
Q. 9. What is the main difference between AFM and STM?
Ans. The AFM relies on the movement due to the electromagnetic forces between
atoms while the STM relies on electrical current between the tip and the surface.
Q. 10. Write the name of different types of single walled nanotube?
Ans. There are three types of single walled nanotubes
Armchair
Zigzag
Chiral