Classification of Nanomaterials

NPs are commonly classified based on:

1. Morphology
2. Dimensions
3. shape
4. Composition
5. Uniformity
6. agglomeration
•On the basis of
morphologies of NPs
were identified:
• Spherical
• Crystalline
• Flat
Classification of Nanomaterials
• Nanomaterials are those which have structured components with at
least one dimension less than 100nm.

•One dimension in nanoscale (Other two dimensions are extended)

Thin films
Surface coatings
Computer chips

•Two dimensions in nanoscale (Other one dimension is extended)

Nanowires
Nanotubes

•Three dimensions in nanoscale

Nanoparticles
Colloids
Precipitates
Quantum dots (tiny particles of semiconductor materials)
Types of Nanomaterials (depending on dimensionality)
the aspect ratio is the ratio of width and height, in which the width is usually
the first number and the height is the second number. A 16:9 display could be
16 inches long and 9 inches high, or 32 inches long and 18 inches high. Aspect
ratio is just that — a ratio — and independent of actual size.
Various
Quantum well
dimensions
• It is a two dimensional system
• The electron can move in two directions and restricted in one di-
rection.
Quantum Wire
• It is a one-dimensional system
• The electron can move in one direction and restricted in two di-
rections.
Quantum dot
• It is a zero dimensional system
• The electron movement was restricted in entire three dimensions
 These are further classified based on their chemical structures into
1. Inorganic
2. Organic
3. Carbon-based NPs (fullerenes)

Inorganic Nanoparticles
Inorganic NPs are fabricated from materials without carbon and are further classified into two
major categories:

1.metals and 2. metal oxide NPs.

Metals NPs:
NPs are synthesized from metals such as platinum (Pt), silver (Ag), gold (Au), cadmium (Cd),
cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn). These NPs have distinctive sizes, shapes,
surface areas, and densities.

Metal Oxide Nanoparticles

• Metal oxide NP is mainly synthesized for increase their efficiency, reactivity and modify the
properties.
• Aluminum oxide (Al2O3), cerium oxide (CeO2), iron oxide (Fe2O3), zinc oxide (ZnO), silicon
dioxide (SiO2), and titanium oxide (TiO2) are usually used for synthesis of NPs.
Inorganic Nanoparticles
Inorganic NPs are fabricated from materials without carbon and are further
classified into two major categories:

1.metals and 2. metal oxide NPs.

Metals NPs:
NPs are synthesized from metals such as platinum (Pt), silver (Ag), gold (Au),
cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn). These NPs
have distinctive sizes, shapes, surface areas, and densities.

Metal Oxide Nanoparticles

• Metal oxide NP is mainly synthesized for increase their efficiency, reactivity
and modify the properties.
• Aluminum oxide (Al2O3), cerium oxide (CeO2), iron oxide (Fe2O3), zinc oxide
(ZnO), silicon dioxide (SiO2), and titanium oxide (TiO2) are usually used for
synthesis of NPs.
Organic Nanoparticles

• Organic NPs are made up of organic

polymers such as dendrimers,
liposomes, ferritin, and micelles.

• Micelles and liposomes are sensitive

to electromagnetic radiation and the
thermal effect.

• They are mainly used for targeted

drug delivery because of their
efficient drug delivery capabilities and
nontoxicity.
Carbon-based Nanoparticle
• Carbon-based NPs are fabricated from carbon and are widely used
in biomedical applications.

• They include fullerenes, graphene, carbon nanotubes, carbon

nanofibers, and carbon black.
Conventional
methods of synthesis
of nanoparticles.
Conventional methods
of synthesis of
nanoparticles.
Processes of Nanotechnology:
There are two ways available to produce nanomaterials.

 First way is to start with a bulkmaterial and then break it

into smaller pieces using mechanical, chemical or other form
of energy [top-down].

 The second way is to synthesise the material from atomic

or molecular species via chemical reactions, allowing for the
precursor particles to grow in size [bottom-up].
Both approaches can be done in either gas, liquid,
supercritical fluids, solid states, or in vacuum.

 Most of the manufacturers are interested in the ability

to control
a) Particle size
b) Particle shape
c) Size distribution
d) Particle composition
e) Degree of particle agglomeration.

 The two approach use common process with varying

degree of control parameters.
 Difference between Top-down and Bottom-up approach

S.No Top-down approach Bottom-up approach

.
1. Process involves slicing or Process involves building up of a
successive cutting of a bulk material from the bottom: atom,
material to get nano sized particles molecule by molecule or cluster
by cluster

2. Attrition or milling is a typical top Colloidal dispersion is an

down method in making nano example of bottom up approach
particles in the synthesis of nano
particles.

3. Problems of imperfection of Absence of available tools at

surface structure, internal stress nano scale favours bottom up
and significant crystallographic approach which provides a
damage to the processed patterns better chance to obtain nano
leading to design and fabrication structures with less defects,
problems. more homogeneous chemical
composition.
In general, there are 3
methods :
(1) physical methods,
(2) chemical methods
(3) biological methods,
also known as
constructive methods
Bottom- up approach
 Chemical Vapor Deposition
• CVD is the process of chemically reacting a volatile compound of a
material to be deposited, with other gases to produce a nonvolatile
solid that deposits atomically on a suitable placed substrate.

• Thermal CVD: Heat energy for activation of the required gas and gas-
solid phase reactions

• Plasma –enhanced CVD: Plasma activation of the chemical species

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWChkgyp92g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hJ-AXGOo_Q
https://slideplayer.com/slide/6826834/
CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition)
It has its name because during this method the chemical reactions take place between the substrate
molecules and precursor molecules on the surface of the substrate.

1.Substrate: One on which surface reaction takes place or on that surface change occurs.
Ex: For CNT Powder activated carbon (PAC)

2. Catalyst: To enhance the reaction rate. We have to impregnate catalyst molecules into the substrate.
Ex Ni, Fe etc.

3. Precursor gas: The gas contains required element for the synthesis of particular substance.
Ex For CNT Acetylene, Methane, Ethanol, Ethylene

4. Career gas or forced gas:

• Puts the force on precursor gas to get adsorbed on the substrate surface.
• It provides essential energy to react the precursor gas with substrate molecules.
• It also removes the byproducts (usually the gases) from the chamber. Ex ammonia, hydrogen and
nitrogen
Fundamental steps of CVD process:
1. Transport of reactants to the reaction zone.
2. Chemical reactions in the gas phase.
3. Transport of the reactant and their products to the substrate.
4. Adsorption and diffusion on the substrate surface.
5. Heterogenous reaction catalyzed by the surface leading to film formation.
6. Desorption of the volatile byproduct of the surface reaction.
7. Transport of the byproduct away from the reaction zone.
Top down Approach Processes:

Attrition ---the process of reducing something’s strength

or effectiveness through attack or pressure

Attrition involves macro or micro scale particles to be

ground in a ball mill, ( a planetary ball mill), or other
size reducing mechanism

 The resulting particles are air classified to recover nanoparticles

 Air Classification: Also known as Elutriation, is a process for separating lighter

particles from heavier one using a vertically-directed stream of gas or
liquid( usually upwards).This method is predominately used for particles with size
(>1μm)

The smaller or lighter particles rise to the top(overflow) because their terminal ve-
locities are lower than the velocity of the rising fluid
High Energy Ball Milling:

 Milling is the process of particle size reduction with objective of

mixing or blending and change of particle size

Normally hard brittle materials with fracture, deform and cold weld
during milling operation

A variety of ball mills have been developed for this purpose like
tumbler mills, attrition mills, shaker mills, vibratory mills, planetary
mills, etc
The reason for choosing dense materials like tungsten carbide or steel
is the fact that kinetic energy of balls depends upon their mass and
velocity.

The temperature increases to about 100 to 200 0C.

 With this process one gets nanoparticles like bricks however the
process of assembly can lead to formation of novel material for further
application.
 Top down Approach Processes: Ball mill

Steel ball and

nanomaterials

Ball milling
Mixing

TiO2 nanoparticles
High energy ball mill