- Nanoparticles: 1-100 nanometres in size (1 nm = 10⁻⁹ m)
- High surface area to volume ratio — this is the key property!
- More reactive than the same material in bulk form
- May have different properties — optical, electrical, magnetic
- Uses: sunscreens (block UV), catalysts, drug delivery, electronics, antimicrobial coatings
- Concerns: unknown health effects, may be toxic, need more research
- Fullerenes (C₆₀): hollow carbon nanoparticles, can carry drug molecules
- Precautionary principle: not fully understood, so used carefully
Quick Check: State one use of nanoparticles and explain how their properties make them suitable for that use.
Example: Silver nanoparticles in antimicrobial wound dressings. Silver has antibacterial properties. As nanoparticles, silver has a very high surface area to volume ratio — more silver atoms are exposed on the surface, making it far more effective at killing bacteria than bulk silver at the same mass.
This key facts covers Key Facts to Memorise within Nanoparticles (HT) for GCSE Chemistry. Revise Nanoparticles (HT) in Bonding & Structure for GCSE Chemistry with 22 exam-style questions and 21 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 6 of 12 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Practice questions for Nanoparticles (HT)
What is the size range of nanoparticles?
Describe the structure of graphene and state one property that arises from this structure.