SHRIRAM INSTITUTE FOR INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH19, UNIVERSITY ROAD, DELHI-110 007

Dr. R. K. KHANDAL

DIRECTOR

NANOTECHNOLOGY: SCOPE, CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES

Scope of nanotechnology Definition Need Dimensions Domain Features

Challenges of nanotechnology Process technology Manufacture Disposal

Opportunities for nanotechnology Industries Teaching Science & Technology

Path Forward

OUTLINE

Nanomaterials:

Materials consisting of particles of the size of nanometer

Volume= Surface area x thickness

For a given volume:

Surface area thickness

More atoms at surface than in the bulk

Extraordinary activity

Scope: Definition

Systems Need

Emulsion Macro Micro

Dispersion Coarse Fine

Solution Colloid

Solubilization

Scope: Need

Need to create the disperse phase as continuous and as fine as possible for homogeneity with the dispersing phase

SCOPE : DIMENSIONS

What Happens Dimensions

Particle size More from less

Surface area Enhanced coverage

Activity Novel products

Efficiency Improved performanceper unit mass

Maximum possible benefits from minimum possible inputs

Effecting changes through and at atomic scale

SCOPE : DOMAIN

Keywords Domain

Particle size Distribution in thecontinuous phase

Modification of surfaces Interfacial tensions

Surface Interface

Rising volume fraction Homogeneity of phases

of dispersing phase Domain of Nanotechnology

Liquid : Liquid Gas : Liquid

Solid : Liquid Gas : Solid

Surfaces and interfaces involving different phases

Scope: Features Size- dependent properties

As the scale goes down, the activity rises mainly due to the lowering distances at which the interparticle interactions occur leading to evolution of energy.

Emulsion

High surface energy, Non-homogeneous unstable

Thermodynamically

ExtremelyHigh

Irreversible

System Scale Activity RemarksMixtures >micrometer Low

Suspension

Dispersion

micrometer Medium Kinetically stable

unstableMicroemulsionSolubilised

nanometer ModeratelyHigh stability probable

Thermodynamic

Macromolecular angstrom High

MolecularAtomic

Very High

Nuclear

Spontaneous

atomic

sub-atomic

Thermodynamically stable

Basis for new materialsSource of energy

Process of making Nanomaterials

Process steps Inputs

Macro

Micro

Nano

Challenges: Process Technology

Challenge: To have a process that can convert macro materials into nano materials spontaneously & with minimum efforts

Energy

Bulk

Sugar cube

Nano

Dissolved sugar/salt

Bulk

Salt

Manufacturing Nanomaterials

Challenge: Manufacture

Input

Process

Output

Suitable Raw materials

Technology

Material for desired application

Challenges : • Identification and selection of suitable raw materials• Scale up of process of making nanomaterials

Challenge: Disposal

Nanomaterials are supposed to be hyperactive materials

In contact with living systems, they are expected to react

Cannot be disposed off like other materials

Challenges : Disposal ways Understanding of Toxicity Complete dossier of their degradability,

etc. without any effect on the environment

Opportunities: Nanomaterials for Industries

NANOPARTICLE

Electronics

Multiuse

Chemical Industries

DefenceOpticsCosmetics

Medical/Biology

Solar Cells

Sensors

Electrocatalysis

Photocatalysis

For any application, nanotechnology is a blend of the science of physics, chemistry and biology. Field of optics has seen a lot success with nanotechnology; coatings and drug delivery systems are an upcoming field now.

Potential applications of Nanomaterials

13

Nanomaterials: Organic (Carotenoids)

Problem

• Carotenoides form coarse crystals that are

– insoluble in water

– sensitive to light and air

Solution

• Formation of nanoscaled micronizates

• Stabilization by properly selected protective colloid

ββ-Carotene-Carotene Protective colloidProtective colloid

Nanoparticles, water dispersibleNanoparticles, water dispersible

250 nm250 nm250 nm250 nm

14

Nanomaterials: Inorganic

Nanomaterials: Organic (Colorants)

MACRO NANONANO MACRO

Nano colorants exhibit better solubilization and dispersion

DYES PIGMENTS

Nano-Structured Colorants

ORGANIC DYE

INORGANIC PARTICLES

Paints & Coatings Nanocomposites

GlassTextiles

Nanopigments

Bio-nanomaterials

Bones

Cartilage

Teeth

Targeted drug delivery

MACRO

MICRO

NANO

DNA Sequencing: macro to micro to nano

FUTURE OF NANOTECHNOLOGY

Structuresizes

2040 year1960 1980 20200.1 nm

0.1 µm

0.1 mm

Nano

Micro

Macro

Integrateduse of

biological principles,physical laws

and chemical know-howComplex chemistry

Electrical engin.

Electronics

Micro-electronics

Material design

Supramolecularchemistry

Quantum effectsCell biology

Molecularbiology Functional

molecule design

Applicationsof

nano- technology

bottom up bottom up

top down

top down

Chemistry

Coatings,cleaning agents,

composite materials,textiles,

cosmetics,displays

Physics

Biology

2000

THANK YOU