Nanomaterials
Dr.M.Jothimuniyandi
Assistant Professor
Nanomaterials
 The concept of nanotechnology was first given by renowned physicist Richard
Feynman in 1959 and earned Nobel Prize.
 Nanotechnology involves designing and producing objects at nanoscale size (~1 to
100 nm). One nanometer is one billionth (10–9) of a metre.
 Nanomaterials are materials that have at least one dimension in the size range of
1–100 nanometers and exhibit unique size-dependent physical, chemical, and
biological properties different from their bulk materials.
 Nanomaterials are one of the main products of nanotechnology as nanoparticles,
nanotubes, nanorods, etc.
Classification
 Classification of nanomaterials based on
 Origin
 Dimension
 Structure
Classification based on Origin
 Nanomaterials can be broadly classified based on their origin into Natural
nanomaterials and Artificial nanomaterials.
 This classification is important to understand their formation, properties,
safety and applications.
Natural Nanomaterials
 Natural nanomaterials are formed naturally without human intervention through biological,
geological, or environmental processes. These nanostructures have existed long before the
development of nanotechnology.
 Sources of Natural Nanomaterials
 a) Biological Sources
Nanostructures produced by living organisms.
Examples: Proteins (enzymes, antibodies), DNA and RNA, Viruses (20–300 nm),Cell
membranes, Ferritin (iron-storage protein)
Natural Nanomaterials
 b) Geological Sources
Nanomaterials formed through natural geological processes.
Examples: Clay minerals, Silica nanoparticles, Volcanic ash,
Natural metal oxides.
 c) Environmental / Atmospheric Sources
Produced naturally in the environment.
Examples: Sea spray aerosols
Natural Nanomaterials
 Characteristics of Natural Nanomaterials
 Biocompatible and biodegradable
 Low toxicity
 Stable under physiological conditions
 Well-adapted to biological systems
 Applications
 Drug delivery (protein-based nanoparticles)
 Biosensors
 Environmental remediation
 Biomedical research
Artificial Nanomaterials
 Artificial or Engineered nanomaterials are intentionally designed and
synthesized by humans using physical, chemical, or biological methods to
achieve specific properties and functions.
Artificial Nanomaterials
a) Carbon-Based Nanomaterials
Examples: Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), Graphene, Fullerenes
Applications: Electronics, Energy storage, Sensors
b) Metal Nanomaterials
Examples: Gold nanoparticles, Silver nanoparticles, Iron nanoparticles
Applications: Antimicrobial agents, Medical imaging ,Catalysis
Artificial Nanomaterials
c) Metal Oxide Nanomaterials
Examples: Titanium dioxide (TiO ),Zinc oxide (ZnO), Iron oxide (Fe O )
₂ ₃ ₄
Applications: Sunscreens, Food packaging, Environmental cleanup
d) Polymeric Nanomaterials
Examples: Dendrimers, Nanocapsules, Nanogels
Applications: Drug delivery, Controlled release systems
Artificial Nanomaterials
Characteristics of Artificial Nanomaterials
 Tailor-made size and shape
 High surface reactivity
 Enhanced mechanical and optical properties
 May pose toxicity risks if not regulated
Applications
 Nanomedicine
 Food technology
 Cosmetics
 Electronics
 Agriculture
 Environmental protection
Classification of Nanomaterials Based
on Dimensions
 Zero-Dimensional (0D) Nanomaterials
Zero-dimensional nanomaterials are those in which all three dimensions, namely Lx
(length along X-axis), Ly (length along Y-axis), and Lz (length along Z-axis), are in the
nanoscopic range (1–100 nm). These materials are usually spherical or nearly spherical
in shape and exhibit quantum confinement effects.
Examples: Quantum dots, metallic nanoclusters, nanospheres, nanocubes, nanorods.
 One-Dimensional (1D) Nanomaterials
In one-dimensional nanomaterials, two dimensions are in the nanoscopic range, while
one dimension extends beyond the nanoscale. These materials have a high aspect
ratio and show excellent electrical and mechanical properties.
Examples: Nanowires, nanotubes, nanofibers.
Classification of Nanomaterials Based
on Dimensions
 Two-Dimensional (2D) Nanomaterials
Two-dimensional nanomaterials are characterized by one dimension in the
nanoscopic range, while the other two dimensions are outside the nanoscale.
They generally exist as thin layers or sheets.
Examples: Nanofilms, nanosheets, nano-coatings, graphene.
 Three-Dimensional (3D) Nanomaterials
In three-dimensional nanomaterials, all three dimensions are outside the
nanoscopic range, but the material is composed of nanoscale building
blocks. These materials combine nanoscale properties with bulk
characteristics.
Examples: Nanocomposites, nanoporous materials, bulk nanostructured
materials.
Classification of Nanomaterials Based
on Structure
 Nanomaterials are classified based on their structural makeup because the type of
atoms involved, bonding nature, and internal arrangement strongly influence their
physical, chemical, mechanical, and biological properties.
 This classification helps in understanding their behavior and selecting suitable
nanomaterials for specific applications.
 Based on structure, nanomaterials are broadly classified into carbon-based, inorganic,
organic, and composite nanomaterials.
Carbon-Based Nanomaterials
 Carbon-based nanomaterials are composed exclusively of carbon atoms
arranged in different nanostructures such as sphericals, tubes, or sheets. The
presence of strong covalent bonds (sp² and sp³ hybridization) imparts exceptional
mechanical strength, electrical conductivity, and thermal stability.
 Examples include fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, and graphene. Due to their
unique structural arrangement and superior properties, carbon-based
nanomaterials are classified as a separate group and are widely used in
electronics, sensors, energy storage, and biomedical applications.
Inorganic Nanomaterials
 Inorganic nanomaterials consist of metals and metal oxides, where metallic
or ionic bonding predominates. Their structure gives rise to remarkable
optical, magnetic, electrical, and catalytic properties.
 Examples include gold and silver nanoparticles, and metal oxides such as
TiO and ZnO. These materials are extensively used in catalysis, antimicrobial
₂
coatings, imaging, and electronic devices, justifying their distinct structural
classification.
Organic Nanomaterials
 Organic nanomaterials are made from organic molecules or polymeric
structures. They are generally held together by weak intermolecular forces,
making them flexible, biodegradable, and biocompatible.
 Examples include dendrimers, liposomes, and polymeric nanoparticles.
Because of their compatibility with biological systems, organic
nanomaterials are mainly used in drug delivery, gene therapy, and medical
diagnostics, warranting a separate structural category.
Composite Nanomaterials
 Composite nanomaterials are formed by combining two or more different
nanomaterials at the nanoscale, such as core–shell structures or nanocomposites.
The interaction between different structural components leads to synergistic
effects, resulting in improved mechanical strength, stability, and multifunctionality.
 These materials find applications in biomedical implants, protective coatings,
structural materials, and advanced functional devices, and thus are classified
separately based on their composite structure.

Nanomaterials and its types - Dr.M.Jothimuniyandi

  • 1.
  • 2.
    Nanomaterials  The conceptof nanotechnology was first given by renowned physicist Richard Feynman in 1959 and earned Nobel Prize.  Nanotechnology involves designing and producing objects at nanoscale size (~1 to 100 nm). One nanometer is one billionth (10–9) of a metre.  Nanomaterials are materials that have at least one dimension in the size range of 1–100 nanometers and exhibit unique size-dependent physical, chemical, and biological properties different from their bulk materials.  Nanomaterials are one of the main products of nanotechnology as nanoparticles, nanotubes, nanorods, etc.
  • 3.
    Classification  Classification ofnanomaterials based on  Origin  Dimension  Structure
  • 4.
    Classification based onOrigin  Nanomaterials can be broadly classified based on their origin into Natural nanomaterials and Artificial nanomaterials.  This classification is important to understand their formation, properties, safety and applications.
  • 5.
    Natural Nanomaterials  Naturalnanomaterials are formed naturally without human intervention through biological, geological, or environmental processes. These nanostructures have existed long before the development of nanotechnology.  Sources of Natural Nanomaterials  a) Biological Sources Nanostructures produced by living organisms. Examples: Proteins (enzymes, antibodies), DNA and RNA, Viruses (20–300 nm),Cell membranes, Ferritin (iron-storage protein)
  • 6.
    Natural Nanomaterials  b)Geological Sources Nanomaterials formed through natural geological processes. Examples: Clay minerals, Silica nanoparticles, Volcanic ash, Natural metal oxides.  c) Environmental / Atmospheric Sources Produced naturally in the environment. Examples: Sea spray aerosols
  • 7.
    Natural Nanomaterials  Characteristicsof Natural Nanomaterials  Biocompatible and biodegradable  Low toxicity  Stable under physiological conditions  Well-adapted to biological systems  Applications  Drug delivery (protein-based nanoparticles)  Biosensors  Environmental remediation  Biomedical research
  • 8.
    Artificial Nanomaterials  Artificialor Engineered nanomaterials are intentionally designed and synthesized by humans using physical, chemical, or biological methods to achieve specific properties and functions.
  • 9.
    Artificial Nanomaterials a) Carbon-BasedNanomaterials Examples: Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), Graphene, Fullerenes Applications: Electronics, Energy storage, Sensors b) Metal Nanomaterials Examples: Gold nanoparticles, Silver nanoparticles, Iron nanoparticles Applications: Antimicrobial agents, Medical imaging ,Catalysis
  • 10.
    Artificial Nanomaterials c) MetalOxide Nanomaterials Examples: Titanium dioxide (TiO ),Zinc oxide (ZnO), Iron oxide (Fe O ) ₂ ₃ ₄ Applications: Sunscreens, Food packaging, Environmental cleanup d) Polymeric Nanomaterials Examples: Dendrimers, Nanocapsules, Nanogels Applications: Drug delivery, Controlled release systems
  • 11.
    Artificial Nanomaterials Characteristics ofArtificial Nanomaterials  Tailor-made size and shape  High surface reactivity  Enhanced mechanical and optical properties  May pose toxicity risks if not regulated Applications  Nanomedicine  Food technology  Cosmetics  Electronics  Agriculture  Environmental protection
  • 12.
    Classification of NanomaterialsBased on Dimensions  Zero-Dimensional (0D) Nanomaterials Zero-dimensional nanomaterials are those in which all three dimensions, namely Lx (length along X-axis), Ly (length along Y-axis), and Lz (length along Z-axis), are in the nanoscopic range (1–100 nm). These materials are usually spherical or nearly spherical in shape and exhibit quantum confinement effects. Examples: Quantum dots, metallic nanoclusters, nanospheres, nanocubes, nanorods.  One-Dimensional (1D) Nanomaterials In one-dimensional nanomaterials, two dimensions are in the nanoscopic range, while one dimension extends beyond the nanoscale. These materials have a high aspect ratio and show excellent electrical and mechanical properties. Examples: Nanowires, nanotubes, nanofibers.
  • 13.
    Classification of NanomaterialsBased on Dimensions  Two-Dimensional (2D) Nanomaterials Two-dimensional nanomaterials are characterized by one dimension in the nanoscopic range, while the other two dimensions are outside the nanoscale. They generally exist as thin layers or sheets. Examples: Nanofilms, nanosheets, nano-coatings, graphene.  Three-Dimensional (3D) Nanomaterials In three-dimensional nanomaterials, all three dimensions are outside the nanoscopic range, but the material is composed of nanoscale building blocks. These materials combine nanoscale properties with bulk characteristics. Examples: Nanocomposites, nanoporous materials, bulk nanostructured materials.
  • 14.
    Classification of NanomaterialsBased on Structure  Nanomaterials are classified based on their structural makeup because the type of atoms involved, bonding nature, and internal arrangement strongly influence their physical, chemical, mechanical, and biological properties.  This classification helps in understanding their behavior and selecting suitable nanomaterials for specific applications.  Based on structure, nanomaterials are broadly classified into carbon-based, inorganic, organic, and composite nanomaterials.
  • 15.
    Carbon-Based Nanomaterials  Carbon-basednanomaterials are composed exclusively of carbon atoms arranged in different nanostructures such as sphericals, tubes, or sheets. The presence of strong covalent bonds (sp² and sp³ hybridization) imparts exceptional mechanical strength, electrical conductivity, and thermal stability.  Examples include fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, and graphene. Due to their unique structural arrangement and superior properties, carbon-based nanomaterials are classified as a separate group and are widely used in electronics, sensors, energy storage, and biomedical applications.
  • 16.
    Inorganic Nanomaterials  Inorganicnanomaterials consist of metals and metal oxides, where metallic or ionic bonding predominates. Their structure gives rise to remarkable optical, magnetic, electrical, and catalytic properties.  Examples include gold and silver nanoparticles, and metal oxides such as TiO and ZnO. These materials are extensively used in catalysis, antimicrobial ₂ coatings, imaging, and electronic devices, justifying their distinct structural classification.
  • 17.
    Organic Nanomaterials  Organicnanomaterials are made from organic molecules or polymeric structures. They are generally held together by weak intermolecular forces, making them flexible, biodegradable, and biocompatible.  Examples include dendrimers, liposomes, and polymeric nanoparticles. Because of their compatibility with biological systems, organic nanomaterials are mainly used in drug delivery, gene therapy, and medical diagnostics, warranting a separate structural category.
  • 18.
    Composite Nanomaterials  Compositenanomaterials are formed by combining two or more different nanomaterials at the nanoscale, such as core–shell structures or nanocomposites. The interaction between different structural components leads to synergistic effects, resulting in improved mechanical strength, stability, and multifunctionality.  These materials find applications in biomedical implants, protective coatings, structural materials, and advanced functional devices, and thus are classified separately based on their composite structure.