Professor Dieter Vollath has more than 20 years experience in the research of synthesis and properties of nanomaterials. He was Department Head at the Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe, Germany, and gives lectures at the Technical University Graz, Austria. Since 2003 he is acting as nanotechnology consultant with his own company NanoConsulting. His courses on nanomaterials formed the basis for this textbook.
Preface ix
1 Nanomaterials: An Introduction 1
2 Nanomaterials and Nanocomposites 5
2.1 Introduction 5
2.2 Elementary Consequences of Small Particle Size 12
2.2.1 Surface of Nanoparticles 12
2.2.2 Thermal Phenomena 13
2.2.3 Diffusion Scaling Law 14
2.2.4 Scaling of Vibrations 20
References 22
3 Surfaces in Nanomaterials 23
3.1 General Considerations 23
3.2 Surface Energy 25
3.3 Some Technical Consequences of Surface Energy 36
References 42
4 Gas-Phase Synthesis of Nanoparticles 45
4.1 Fundamental Considerations 45
4.2 Inert Gas Condensation Process 56
4.3 Physical and Chemical Vapor Synthesis Processes 57
4.4 Laser Ablation Process 60
4.5 Radio- and Microwave Plasma Processes 64
4.6 Flame Aerosol Process 72
4.7 Synthesis of Coated Particles 82
References 87
5 Nanotubes, Nanorods, and Nanoplates 89
5.1 General Considerations 89
5.1.1 Conditions for the Formation of Rods and Plates 93
5.1.2 Layered Structures 94
5.1.3 One-Dimensional Crystals 95
5.2 Nanostructures Related to Compounds with Layered Structures 98
5.2.1 Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene 98
5.2.2 Nanotubes and Nanorods from Materials other than Carbon 109
5.2.3 Synthesis of Nanotubes and Nanorods 113
References 120
6 Nanofluids 123
6.1 Definition 123
6.2 Nanofluids for Improved Heat Transfer 123
6.3 Ferrofluids 127
6.3.1 General Considerations 127
6.3.2 Properties of Ferrofluids 127
6.3.3 Applications of Ferrofluids 129
References 133
7 Phase Transformations of Nanoparticles 135
7.1 Thermodynamics of Nanoparticles 135
7.2 Heat Capacity of Nanoparticles 136
7.3 Phase Transformations of Nanoparticles 139
7.4 Phase Transformation and Coagulation 148
7.5 Structures of Nanoparticles 149
7.6 A Closer Look at Nanoparticle Melting 153
7.7 Structural Fluctuations 159
References 165
8 Magnetic Properties of Nanoparticles 167
8.1 Magnetic Materials 167
8.2 Superparamagnetic Materials 171
8.3 Susceptibility and Related Phenomena in Superparamagnets 184
8.4 Applications of Superparamagnetic Materials 191
8.5 Exchange-Coupled Magnetic Nanoparticles 196
References 203
9 Optical Properties of Nanoparticles 205
9.1 General Remarks 205
9.2 Adjustment of the Index of Refraction 205
9.3 Optical Properties Related to Quantum Confinement 209
9.4 Quantum Dots and Other Lumophores 223
9.5 Metallic and Semiconducting Nanoparticles Isolated and in Transparent Matrices 231
9.6 Special Luminescent Nanocomposites 243
9.7 Electroluminescence 250
9.8 Photochromic and Electrochromic Materials 257
9.8.1 General Considerations 257
9.8.2 Photochromic Materials 257
9.8.3 Electrochromic Materials 259
9.9 Materials for Combined Magnetic and Optic Applications 261
References 267
10 Electrical Properties of Nanoparticles 269
10.1 Fundamentals of Electrical Conductivity in Nanotubes and Nanorods 269
10.2 Nanotubes 278
10.3 Photoconductivity of Nanorods 284
10.4 Electrical Conductivity of Nanocomposites 288
References 296
11 Mechanical Properties of Nanoparticles 299
11.1 General Considerations 299
11.2 Bulk Metallic and Ceramic Materials 302
11.2.1 Influence of Porosity 302
11.2.2 Influence of Grain Size 304
11.2.3 Superplasticity 317
11.3 Filled Polymer Composites 319
11.3.1 Particle-Filled Polymers 319
11.3.2 Polymer-Based Nanocomposites Filled with Platelets 323
11.3.3 Carbon Nanotube- and Graphene-Based Composites 329
References 333
12 Characterization of Nanomaterials 335
12.1 General Remarks 335
12.2 Global Methods for Characterization 335
12.2.1 Specific Surface Area 335
12.3 X-Ray and Electron Diffraction 341
12.4 Electron Microscopy 349
12.4.1 General Considerations 349
12.4.2 Interaction of the Electron Beam and Specimen 353
12.4.3 Localized Chemical Analysis in the Electron Microscope 358
12.4.4 Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy Using a High-Angle Annular Dark-Field Detector 365
References 367
Index 369