C2.2.4 - Nanoparticles Flashcards
How many atoms does a nanoparticle contain?
Few hundred
How big is a nanoparticle?
1nm - 100nm
What is a material made from nanoparticles described as?
Nanoparticulate
What does the small size of nanoparticles make them useful for?
New paints
New cosmetics, medicines and sunscreens
What are most of a nanoparticle’s properties due to?
Its large (surface area : volume) ratio
Name examples of how nanoparticle properties can be used.
New catalysts to speed us industrial chemical reactions
Self-cleaning ovens, windows and clothes
How may nanoparticles be a risk to our health?
They are so tiny they can be breathed in, absorbed by the skin or pass through the cells
How may nanoparticles be a risk to the environment?
They may take a long time to break down once released into the environment, and toxic substances may stick to their surfaces.
