Surface Area to Volume Ratio & Nanotechnology Uses

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Nanoparticles - Surface Area to Volume Ratio

Nanoparticles have special properties because of their high surface area to volume ratio.

Surface area to volume ratio

As particles get smaller, their surface area to volume ratio increases.
- E.g. decreasing the length of a cube’s side by a factor of 100 increases its surface area to volume ratio by a factor of 100.

Smaller amounts of nanoparticles are needed

This allows for smaller amounts of nanoparticles to be used for a desired purpose compared to using normal-sized particles.
This means that they are cheaper and more efficient to use.

Changing the properties of a material

Using nanoparticles can also change the properties of the material completely.
- E.g. ‘normal’ gold particles are extremely unreactive, but gold nanoparticles can be very efficient catalysts for many processes.

Uses of Nanoparticles

Nanoscience is an important area of research in chemistry. Currently, nanoparticles are used for:

Catalysts

The very high surface area of nanoparticles means that there is a larger surface on which reactions can be catalysed (sped up).

Medicine

Fullerene nanoparticles can be used to efficiently deliver drugs to a specific area of the body to target a disease.

Electronics

Carbon nanotubes are used in new computer chips because of their good electrical conductivity.

Cosmetics

Nanoparticles are so small that visible light passes through them, making them transparent.
- E.g. white substances, like sun cream, can be made transparent by using nanoparticles.

Deodorants

Nanoparticles can have antimicrobial properties.
These nanoparticles can be used to make deodorants more effective by killing bacteria that generate bad smells.

1Atomic Structure

2Chemical Bonding

2.1Chemical Bonds

2.1.1Types of Bonds

2.1.2Ionic Bonds

2.1.3Ionic Compounds

2.1.4Covalent & Metallic Bonds

2.1.5Representing Covalent Bonds

2.1.6Dots-And-Cross Diagrams

2.1.7Exam-Style Questions - Chemical Bonds

2.2States of Matter

2.2.1States of Matter

2.2.2Changing State

2.2.3Changing State HyperLearning

2.2.4State Symbols

2.2.5Exam-Style Questions - States of Matter

2.3Chemical Properties

2.3.1Chemical Properties of Ionic Compounds

2.3.2Chemical Properties of Small Molecules

2.3.3Molecular Forces & Polymers

2.3.4Metals & Giant Covalent Structures

2.3.5Alloys & Conductors

2.3.6Carbon Structures - Diamond & Graphite

2.3.7Carbon Structures - Graphene & Fullerenes

2.3.8Carbon Structures - Summary

2.3.9Nanoparticles

2.3.10Nanotechnology

2.3.11Surface Area to Volume Ratio & Nanotechnology Uses

2.3.12End of Topic Test - Chemical Bonding

2.3.13Grade 9 - Bonding & Structure

2.3.14Exam-Style Questions - Allotropes of Carbon

3Quantitative Chemistry

4Chemical Changes

5Energy Changes

5.1Exothermic & Endothermic Reactions

5.1.1Energy Conservation

5.1.2Exothermic & Endothermic Reactions

5.1.3Reaction Profiles

5.1.4Reaction Profiles 2

5.2Chemical Cells & Fuel Cells

5.2.1Chemical Cells

5.2.2Batteries & Charging of Cells

5.2.3Fuel Cells

5.2.4Hydrogen Fuel Cell

5.2.5End of Topic Test - Energy Changes

5.2.6Grade 9 - Energy Changes

5.2.7Exam-Style Questions - Fuel Cells

6The Rate & Extent of Chemical Change

6.1Rate of Reaction

6.1.1Chemical Reactions

6.1.2Collision Theory

6.1.3Catalysts

6.1.4Catalysts in Industry

6.2Reversible Reactions

6.2.1Reversible Reactions

6.2.2Equilibrium

6.2.3Equilibrium Position

6.2.4Equilibrium Position 2

6.2.5End of Topic Test - Rates of Reaction

6.2.6Grade 9 - Rate & Extent of Chemical Change

6.2.7Exam-Style Questions - Reversible Reactions

7Organic Chemistry

8Chemical Analysis

8.1Purity, Formulations & Chromatography

8.1.1Purity & Formulations

8.1.2Chromatography

8.1.3Paper Chromatography 1

8.1.4Paper Chromatography 2

8.1.5Required Practical - Paper Chromatography

8.2Identification of Common Gases

8.2.1Identification of Hydrogen & Oxygen

8.2.2Identification of Carbon Dioxide & Chlorine

8.3Identifying Ions

8.3.1Flame Tests

8.3.2Required Practical: Flame Tests

8.3.3Metal Hydroxides

8.3.4Carbonates

8.3.5Halides, Sulfates

8.3.6Methodology for Chemical Analysis

8.3.7Flame Emission Spectroscopy

8.3.8End of Topic Test - Chemical Analysis

8.3.9Grade 9 - Chemical Analysis

8.3.10Exam-Style Questions - Identification of ions

9Chemistry of the Atmosphere

9.1The Earth's Atmosphere

9.1.1Proportions of Gases in the Atmosphere

9.1.2Oxygen & Carbon Dioxide in the Atmosphere

9.1.3Greenhouse Gases & Human Activities

9.1.4Greenhouse Gases & Human Activities

9.1.5Greenhouse Gases & Climate Change

9.1.6Carbon Footprints

9.1.7Common Atmospheric Pollutants & Their Properties

9.1.8End of Topic Test - The Earth

9.1.9Grade 9 - Chemistry of the Atmosphere

9.1.10Exam-Style Questions - Earth's Atmosphere

10Using Resources

10.1Using the Earth's Resources

10.1.1Potable Water & its Sources

10.1.2Potable Water in the UK & in Saudi Arabia

10.1.3Natural Resources

10.1.4Waste Water

10.1.5Metal Ore Extraction & the Properties of Copper

10.1.6Overexploitation & Alternative Extraction Methods

10.2Life Cycle Assessments & Recycling

10.2.1Life Cycle Assessments

10.2.2Difficulties with LCA

10.2.3Reducing Resource Usage

10.2.4Reducing Use of Metal and Glass

10.2.5Exam-Style Questions - Life Cycle Assessments

10.3Using Materials

10.3.1Corrosion

10.3.2Alloys

10.3.3Ceramics

10.3.4Polymers & Composites

10.4The Haber Process & NPK Fertilisers

10.4.1The Haber Process

10.4.2The Haber Process - Equation & Trade-Offs

10.4.3Formulated vs Manure Fertilisers

10.4.4NPK Fertilisers 1

10.4.5NPK Fertilisers 2

10.4.6End of Topic Test - Resources

10.4.7Grade 9 - Using Resources

10.4.8Exam-Style Questions - The Haber Process

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