Nanoparticles: Particles between 1 and 100 nanometers in size. In nanotechnology, a particle is defined as a small object that behaves as a whole unit with respect to its transport and properties.

Nanoparticles sometimes have different properties from their bulk material, because they have a very large surface area for their size compared to normal particles.

Silver nanoparticles

1. Medical uses

Silver is commonly used for its antibacterial properties, particularly to treat external infections

Silver ions irreversibly damage key enzymes in the cell membranes of the microorganisms

Silver nano particles have a much greater anti-bacterial action than normal silver particles, because their tiny size means they can get to places normal particles cannot. They might even be able to enter living cells.

2. Clothes

Silver nanoparticles have been incorporated into the fabric of clothes in order to kill the bacterial build up that causes odours.

Dangers of silver nano particles:

We do not yet fully understand the consequences of using nano particles. There is no direct evidence that they are harmful, but we do not know for certain that they are harmless either. Some scientists are concerned especially by the effect they could have on the environment were they to find their way into delicate ecosystems or municipal waste water systems that depend on bacteria.

The Royal Comission of Environmental Pollution recommended against their use in clothes in 2008.

	Created by Niamh Ryan over 7 years ago

This study note provides pages on fullerines, carbon nanotubes, nanoparticles, titanium dioxide, shape memory polymers and shape memory alloys. Includes information about uses and illustrations for visual learning.