nanopowder
Microscopic material grains
Nanopowder is a powder composed of particles measured in nanometers—typically under 100 nanometers in diameter.
At this scale, materials exhibit different properties than their bulk counterparts: increased surface area, altered reactivity, and unique optical or electrical characteristics.
Nanopowders appear in applications from sunscreens to electronics to advanced ceramics: titanium dioxide nanopowder, silver nanopowder.
Billionth-meter dimension
- nanoparticlesUltrafine material fragments
- submicroscopicToo small for optical viewing
- microscopicToo small for eyes
- particulateTiny suspended matter
ultrafine · micron · agglomeration · dispersion · grain · colloids · fineness · pulverized
Accelerating reactions without consumption
- coatingsApplied surface layers
- batteriesPortable energy storage units
- electronicsStudy of circuits
- pharmaceuticalsManufactured therapeutic substances
filtration · aerospace · automotive · cosmetics · sunscreen · drug-delivery · sensors · antimicrobial
Powder consolidation by heating
- precipitationAtmospheric water deposit
- plasmaElectrified matter state
- pyrolysisHeat-driven molecular breakdown
- hydrothermalHot water underground
spray-drying · calcination · reduction · oxidation · precursor · reagent · yield · purity
Ultrasmall engineered matter
- nanocrystalsCrystalline structures under 100nm
- ceramicsHardened clay objects
- alloysMetallic element mixtures
- silicaSilicon dioxide compound
alumina · graphene · semiconductors · magnetic · ferrite · silver · copper
Tendency to chemically combine
- conductivityAbility to carry current
- porosityVoid space density
- crystallineClear, ordered, brilliant
- amorphousWithout distinct shape
thermal · optical · magnetic · biocompatibility · stability · toxicity · purity · morphology
nanoscale
Billionth-meter dimension
- nanoparticlesUltrafine material fragments
- submicroscopicToo small for optical viewing
- microscopicToo small for eyes
particulate · ultrafine · micron · agglomeration · dispersion · grain · colloids · fineness · pulverized · atomized
catalysis
Accelerating reactions without consumption
- coatingsApplied surface layers
- batteriesPortable energy storage units
- electronicsStudy of circuits
pharmaceuticals · filtration · aerospace · automotive · cosmetics · sunscreen · drug-delivery · sensors · antimicrobial · pigments
sintering
Powder consolidation by heating
- precipitationAtmospheric water deposit
- plasmaElectrified matter state
- pyrolysisHeat-driven molecular breakdown
hydrothermal · spray-drying · calcination · reduction · oxidation · precursor · reagent · yield · purity · crystallinity
nanomaterials
Ultrasmall engineered matter
- nanocrystalsCrystalline structures under 100nm
- ceramicsHardened clay objects
- alloysMetallic element mixtures
silica · alumina · graphene · semiconductors · magnetic · ferrite · silver · copper
reactivity
Tendency to chemically combine
- conductivityAbility to carry current
- porosityVoid space density
- crystallineClear, ordered, brilliant
amorphous · thermal · optical · magnetic · biocompatibility · stability · toxicity · purity · morphology · density