Properties of Materials (2)

really tiny particles that have diameters between 1nm and 1000nm a few hundred

the study of nanoparticles

• as catalysts • in nanomedicine • in electronics • in sun cream • in deoderant • in cosmetics • in sports equipment

they have a high surface area to volume ratio

they can be used to make really thin, light display screens or really tiny memory chips that hold a vast amount of data

they are better than traditional materials at protecting skin from harmful UV rays they also give better skin coverage and don’t leave white marks on the skin

some nanoparticles (e.g. silver) have antibacterial properties

they improve moisturisers without making them really oily

they can make the material much stronger and more durable

• it is not yet clear whether nanoparticles can get into your body, and, if they do, whether they might damage cells • when antibacterial fabric is washes, some of the silver nanoparticles end up in the waste water, they don’t degrade and end up in rivers, where they can be toxic to fish • some nanoparticles used in medicine don’t break down easily so could start to build up in cells

• insulators of heat and electricity • can be flexible • easily moulded • inexpensive • less dense

lots of different monomers can be used to make polymers

non-metallic solids with high melting points that aren’t made from carbon-based compounds

• excellent insulators of heat and electricity • brittle • stiff • strong • hardwearing • don’t degrade or corrode