Module III: Advanced Materials

Polymers in day-today life

Polymers: Large molecule with high M.W. composed of many repeated
subunits (Monomer)
(Poly - many & mer – parts or units) PE, PVC, Nylons
Natural polymers - wood, rubber, cotton, wood, leather, silk etc
Synthetic polymers – PE, PS, PP, PVC etc

Monomers: Small molecule with low M.W. &

at least two reactive positions
(building block of polymer)
E.g.: Ethylene Vinyl Chloride, propylene
repeat repeat repeat
unit unit unit

H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H
C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C
H H H H H H H Cl H Cl H Cl H CH3H CH3H CH3
Polyethylene (PE) Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) Polypropylene (PP)
Functionality – number of reactive sites
Monomer – Polyfunctional -unsaturation or functional group
1) Bifunctional monomer – 2 reactive sites - linear polymer
eg: Ethylene, VC(unsaturation), Adipic acid (functional group)
2) Trifunctional monomer -3 reactive sites - branched (short or long)
eg: Phenol (unsaturation), glycerol (functional group)
3) Higher functionality monomer – Tetrafunctional (4), 5,or more reactive
sites - crosslinked polymer respectively
eg: Acetylene, urea, butadiene etc

Degree of Polymerization (DP) - number of monomeric units in

polymer molecule. Denoted by ‘n’
Higher the DP, greater is the molecular weight, greater is the strength with
more complex structure of Polymer.
M = n* Mo
Tacticity in Polymers: Arrangement of side groups on C-C chain
 Glass TransitionTemperature (Tg)
Tg - Temperature below which polymers exist as hard
and brittle (glassy state) and above which they exist
as soft and elastic i.e. viscoelastic (rubbery state)
Tm - Temperature below which polymers exist in visco-
elastic state and above which they exist in visco-fluid
state
Molecular & Segmental motions based on KE
1) Below Tg: No movements of molcules at all
2) Between Tg & Tm: Only segmental
3) Above Tm: molecular & segmental both motions
Introduction, preparation, properties and applications:
1. Engineering Thermoplastic : Polycarbonate
2. Conducting polymer : Polyacetylene
3. Polymer Composites : Fiber reinforced plastics – Glass
fiber and carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites
4. Nanomaterials: Graphene
5. Nanomaterials: Carbon Nanotube (CNT)
6. Semi-Conducting Nanomaterials: Quantum Dot (QD)
7. Organic Semiconductor Memory Material:
p-type memory material - Pentacene
n-type memory material - Perfluoropentacene
Engineering Thermoplastic

Polycarbonate (PC)
 Engineering Thermoplastic
Few examples where metals or glasses are
replaced by polymeric materials:
What is so special about this
polymeric materials???

Engg. Thermoplastic
 Engineering Thermoplastic
All these products/ materials (shown above and others
as well like covers/bodies of cell phones, laptops,
computers, sockets of plugs, switches, CD/DVD, etc. )
are examples of Engineering Thermoplastics.

Engineering Thermoplastics is a group of polymeric

materials synthesized from thermoplastic like
Polyethylene, Polystyrene, Polypropylene,
Polycarbonate, etc.

Engineering Thermoplastics are the polymeric materials

having outstanding (or we can say having specific)
properties when compared.
 Engineering Thermoplastic

Engineering Thermoplastics are the polymeric materials

having outstanding (or we can say having specific)
properties when compared.
It may be:
➢ High Impact and/or mechanical strength

➢ High Thermal stability

➢ Excellent chemical resistance

➢ Light Weight

➢ Readily moldable into various shapes

 Engineering Thermoplastic
Polycarbonate – An Engineering Thermoplastic
➢ It is a thermoplastic polyester having functional
group linked together by carbonate group molecular
chain
Molecular Structure of Polycarbonate:
 Engineering Thermoplastic:
Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate – Structure

Or
 Engineering Thermoplastic:
Polycarbonate(Lexan, Merlon)
Traditional Synthesis of Polycarbonate by
polycondensation: Using Bisphenol A and Phosgene
and Methylene dichloride is used as a solvent in the
process.
 Engineering Thermoplastic:
Polycarbonate
Greener Pathway of Polycarbonate Synthesis: Asahi
Chemicals, Japan developed green synthesis of
Polycarbonate to overcome the disadvantages of traditional
synthesis: In this synthesis process, Bisphenol A and
Diphenyl Carbonate are mixed in molten state.
 Properties of Polycarbonate
• Has high impact strength
• High tensile strength over wide temp. range
• Highly Transparent plastic (@90% light
transmittance and refractive index 1.58)
• Soluble in organic solvents, alkali
• Has Good Heat and Flame resistance
• Low combustibility and High Melting Point
Tm=230-250 0C and Tg =145 0C;
• Good thermal stability
• Limited Chemical and Scratch resistance
• Not resistant to UV
 Applications of Polycarbonate
• As insulator in electronics
(Can be used for making industrial plugs, sockets,
covers of cell phones, laptops etc.)
• Used as housing for hair drier bodies, cameras
• Used as bullet proof material vests
• Used to manufacture domestic ware(transparent food
container), helmets, covers of vehicle light
• Handles of screwdriver, for pliers
• To manufacture CD’s, DVD and for housing of
apparatus, Used for substitute for glass in Constru.
• Used for UV thin eye lenses, sunglasses,
Scuba/swimming gogles, visors in helmets, head lamp
lenses in vehicles, windscreens for vehicles etc.
 Engineering Thermoplastic : Polycarbonate (PC)

SAMPLE QUESTIONS:

1) Differentiate between properties of commodity and engineering

thermoplastics and give one example of each type (3 differences -3M, 1

example of each type -1M)

2) What are engineering thermoplastics? What advantages do they have over

common thermoplastics? (Definition – 1M, advantages – 2 M)

3) Give the structure, properties and applications of

polycarbonate.(structure -1M, 2 properties-1M, 2 applications – 1M)

4) Give reasons for why Polycarbonate is used for making (a) safety goggles;

(b) bullet proof glass; ( c) roofing sheets; (d) CD/DVD (1 M each)

 Conducting Polymers
Eg.: Polyacetylene:

Polythiopene:

Polypyrrole:

Polyaniline

Structural Requirement:
1) Planar & highly crystalline,
2) Linear
3) Presence of conjugation (free mobile electrons)
 Conducting Polymers
Eg.: Polyacetylene, Polythiopene, Polypyrole, Polyaniline,

Structural Requirement:
1) Planar & highly crystalline,
2) Linear
3) Presence of conjugation (free mobile electrons)
 Conducting Polymers:
A polymer which can conduct
electricity

Intrinsically Conducting Extrinsically Conducting

Polymer: Extensive Polymer: Owe their
conjugation in the conductivity due to the
backbone responsible for presence of externally
conductance added ingredients in them
 Intrinsically
Conducting
Polymer

Conducting Doped
polymers having conducting
conjugation polymers
b) Doped Conducting polymers
Conductivity of polymers having conjugation can be increased
easily as compared to conventional polymers, as they have low
ioniztion potential and high electron affinities

Conductivities can be increased by creating positive or

negative charge on the polymer backbone by oxidiation or
reduction. The process is referred as Doping by analogy with
semiconductor technology

Doping: Polymer has to be disturbed - either by removing

electrons from (oxidation), or inserting them into (reduction)
into the material.
There are two types of doping:
p-doping: Oxidation with halogen
(positive charge developed on polymer)
n-doping: Reduction with alkali metal
(negative charge developed on polymer)
 Doping of Conducting Polymers
p Dopants: Iodine, FeCl3
n Dopants:

2(CH)x + 3 I2 = 2 (CH)x+ I3-

Polyacetylene Iodine p-Doped polyecetylene

(CH)x + FeCI3 = 2 (CH)x+ FeCI4- + FeCI2

Polyacetylene p-Doped polyecetylene

Reaction with n type dopants:

 Extrinsically
Conducting
Polymers

Conducting Blended
Element Filled Conducting
polymers polymers
a) Conducting polymers having conjugated (Π) electrons
in the backbone
• Conductivity increases due to presence of Π – electrons in the
backbone to a large extent.
• This is because, overlapping of conjugated Π – electrons over
the entire backbone results in the formation of VB and CBs
over the entire polymer molecule.
• VB and CB are separated by a significant band gap
• Electrical conduction could occur only after thermal or
photolytic activation of electrons to give them sufficient energy
to jump the gap and reach into lower levels of the CB.
• Conductivity is inversely proportional to energy gap between
VB & CB
• Conductivity due to conjugated Π – electrons is not sufficient
for their use in different applications as for:
Polyaniline, it is of the order of approximate 10-10 S/cm
Polyaniline
Applications of conducting polymers:
1. Rechargeable Batteries
2. As antistatic material
3. Optical filters
4. Sensors
5. In electronics (LED)
6. Photovoltic cells
7. Telecommuniction systems
Solar cell
8. Molecular switches
Light-emitting diodes
 Conducting polymer : Polyacetylene
SAMPLE QUESTIONS:

1) What is the structural requirement for a polymer to show conductive

property? Give example of a conducting polymer. ( main chain

conjugation with structure – 2M, doping -1M)

2) Give the structure of cis- and trans-polyacetylene. Which has higher

conductance? (2 structures -2M, explanation-1M)

3) Give the structure of polyacetylene. Give one example each of p- and n-

dopant.( structure -1M, 2examples – 2 M)

4) Give the structure, properties and applications of polyacetylene.( (3M)

structure -1M, properties-1M, 2 applications – 1M)

 Polymer Composites
Polymer based material (matrix phase) & Reinforcing material
(dispersion phase) put together to form composites with
defined interface to obtain specific properties
Essential constituents of Polymer Composite:
Polymer Matrix Phase:
Commercial Thermoplastics (ABS, PE, PP) & Thermoset resins
(polyesters, epoxy resin and phenolic resins) gives a
continuous body constituent, surrounding the other phases
and gives a bulk form to the composite
Objectives (Functions) of Polymer Matrix:
1) To bind the reinforcing particles or fibres strongly
2) Acts as a medium for distribution of external applied load to
reinforcement
3) Keeps proper orientation of reinforcing fibres for high
strength
4) To prevent cracks propagation due to its plasticity & softness
 Polymer Composites
Reinforced / Dispersion Matrix Phase:
These are the structural constituents like fibres, sheets, particles which
are embedded in matrix phase

Fibres - Long thin filaments of Glass, Carbon, aramides are added to

give high tensile strength, high stiffness and low density

Particulates - Small metallic or nonmetallic particles are added to

increase surface hardness, abrasion resistance and strength, reduces
the cost and carry major portion of the applied load

Types of Polymer Composites:

1) Particles Reinforced Composites / Particulate Composites,

2) Structural Composites : Lamellar sheets/ sandwitched panels
3) Fibre Reinforced Composites
 Polymer Composites

Schematic representations of the various geometrical and spatial

characteristics of particles of the dispersed phase that may influence the
properties of composites:

(a) concentration, (b) size, (c) shape, (d) distribution, and (e) orientation.
(From: Richard A. Flinn and Paul K. Trojan, Engineering Materials and Their Applications)
Types of Polymer Composites:
1) Particle Fiber Composite:
Metal powders & oxides, Carbon black, silica (Dispersed
phase or reinforcing phase)

2) Structural composites:
Laminar Composites – Lamellar Sheets (high Strength)or
panels with proper orientation are stacked & cemented
together with resin. Eg. Plywood
Sandwitched Panels – 2 strong outer sheets separated
by a layer of less dense material (core) Face Material can
be FRP whereas core can be synthetic rubber, foamed
polymer. Eg. Aircraft wings, boat hulls, roof floors, walls

3) Fibre reinforced composites:

It is a Composite material made of a polymer matrix
reinforced with fibres (dispersed phase)
Commonly used Fibres - Glass, Carbon, Aramid, Al,
asbestos, paper, wood fibres
 Polymer Composites
Based on the form of reinforcement, common composite materials can be
classified as follows:
Particles as the reinforcement
Fibers as the reinforcement (Particulate composites)
(Fibrous Composites)

Random fiber (short fiber) Continuous fiber (long fiber)

reinforced composites reinforced composites

Flat flakes as the reinforcement Fillers as the reinforcement

(Flake composites) (Filler composites)
Schematic representations of
(a) continuous and aligned,
(b) discontinuous and aligned, and
(c) discontinuous and randomly oriented fiber- reinforced composites.
The stacking of successive oriented,
fiber-reinforced layers for a
laminar composite

Schematic diagram showing

the cross section of a
sandwich panel.
 Fiber Reinforced Plastics (FRP)
• Fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP):
They are composites that contain fibre in the dispersed phase.
The design goals of fibre reinforced composites often include
high-strength and stiffness on a weight basis.

• Glass-reinforced plastics (GRP): Most commonly used

Popularly known as ‘fibreglass’, made of plastic material
reinforced by fine glass fibres in the dispersed phase.

Properties:
➢ Dimensional stability: Glass fibre exhibits dimensional stability.
It does not stretch or shrink on exposure to extremely high or low
temperatures.
➢ Moisture resistance Glass fibres do not absorb moisture.
➢ High strength: Possess high strength-to-weight ratio. Useful for
applications where high strength and minimum weight is required.
 Fiber Reinforced Plastics (FRP)

Properties:

➢ Fire resistance: Being inorganic in nature, glass fibre does not

burn or support combustion.
➢ Chemical resistance: Chemically inert. However, they are
affected by hydrofluoric acid, hot phosphoric acids and strong
alkaline substances.
➢ Electrical properties: Have low dielectric constant. Glass fibres
are excellent materials for electrical insulation.

Characteristics Properties of FRP depends on:

1) Nature of orientation, concentration, length and
distribution of fibers
2) Nature of Polymer matrix
3) Strength of interfacial bond between fibre phase and polymer
matrix phase
 Fiber Reinforced Plastics (FRP)

Glass FRP: High Tensile strength and impact resistance, Lower

densities, Excellent resistance to corrosion and chemicals
(Used in automobiles to reduce weight and used as its parts,
storage tanks, plastic pipes, industrial flooring etc.)

Limitations: Deteriorates at high temp,

Do not possess desired stiffness and
Rigidity cannot be used as structural components

Carbon FRP: High elastic modulus, High temperature and

corrosion resistance (Used as structural components like wings,
body for aircrafts and helicopters)
Properties of FRP:
• High tensile strength
• High thermal stability
• High Stiffness and lower density
• High dimension stability
• Better abrasion resistance
• Better toughness and impact strength
• Low coefficient of expansion
• Low cost of production

Applications of FRP:
• Automobile bodies, chasis parts, vehicle components
• Boats body, propeller shafts
• Parts of aircrafts
• Sport goods, musical instruments, toys etc
• High speed machinery parts, PCB, bodies of refrigerators,
coolers, cabins for offices, windows, doors
Applications of FRPs
Nanomaterial Introduction :
Definition
Nanomaterials are defined as a set of substances
where at least one dimension is less than
approximately 100 nanometers
 Nanodimensional Structures
What are nano dimensional Structures?
• When one or more of the dimensions of a solid are
reduced significantly, its physicochemical characteristics
notably depart from those of the bulk solid.
• With reduction in size, novel electrical, mechanical,
chemical, magnetic, and optical properties can be
introduced. The resulting structure is then called a low-
dimensional structure (or system).
• Nanostructures constitute a bridge
between molecules and bulk materials.

• Suitable control of the properties and

responses of nanostructures can lead to
new devices and technologies.
Source: [Link]
Nanomaterials: Classification
Classification based on:
◆ Origin

◆ Composition

◆ Dimensions

Classification based on Origin:

➢ Natural
➢ Artificial
Nanomaterials: Classification
Classification based on Composition:

➢ Organic: Carbon based nanomaterials (Graphene,

CNT), Nanobiomaterials, Dendrimers/Polymers

➢ Inorganic: Metals, Metal Oxide, Semiconductors

(QD)

➢ Nanocomposites: Organic/Inorganic
Nanomaterials: Classification
Classification based on Dimensions:

➢ Three-dimensional (3D) structure or Bulk

nanostructure

➢ Two-dimensional (2D) structure or Quantum wells

➢ One-dimensional (1D) structure or Quantum wires

➢ Zero-dimensional (0D) structure or Quantum Dots

Nanomaterials: Classification

Dimensionality refers to the

number of degrees of freedom in
the particle momentum rather than
particle confinement direction
 Nanomaterials: Graphene
▪ Structure: Dimensionality, Details of Carbon atoms

arrangement and bonding, Figure (sheet) required

▪ Properties: Chemical, Physical or Mechanical, Electrical

property (electronics) and optical property, thermal

conductivity etc.

▪ Applications: Potential uses based on different properties

 Nanomaterial: Graphene
➢ One of the most promising nanomaterial
➢ Discovery of Graphene: In 2004 by Andre Geim and
Konstantin Novoselov
➢ Single atom-thick layer of tightly bonded Carbon
atoms, arranged in flat hexagonal honeycomb like
lattice structure
➢ Monolayer Graphene can be viewed as an
individual plane of Carbon stoms extracted from
Graphite, hence building block
for other Graphitic materials
WONDER Material
 Structure of Graphene
➢ Dimensionality: 2D structure
(atomic
thickness: 0.345 nm)
➢ All Carbon
atoms are sp 2
hybridized

Source of Image: [Link]

 Key Properties of Graphene

➢ Physical Properties: Atomic thickness, strength,

toughness, surface area, impermeability, thermal

Conductivity

➢ Chemical Properties: Reactivity

➢ Electrical Properties: Electron mobility

➢ Optical Properties: Transparency

 Physical Properties of Graphene
• One of the thinnest (only one carbon atom
thick ~0.34 nm)
• Flexible material; most stretchable crystal
(stretch upto 20%-25% of initial size w/o
breaking it)
• Toughest 2D material: Harder than either
steel ( 200 times stronger than steel ) or
diamond of the same dimensions

• High tensile strength

( of over 1 Tpa)
 Physical Properties of Graphene
• Lightweight; it weighs just 0.77 mg/m 2

• Highest surface area to Volume ratio, since single 2D

sheet

• Highly impermeable (even He atoms cannot go through it)

• Perfect thermal conductor: Conducts heat in all directions - it

is an isotropic conductor

• The measured thermal conductivity of Graphene is in the range

of 3000 to 5000 W/m/K at room temperature which is among
the highest of any other known material
Chemical Properties of Graphene
• An inert material and does not readily react with
other atoms (Even though all of graphene’s atoms are
exposed to the environment).
• However, “absorb” different atoms and molecules. This
can lead to changes in the electronic properties.

• Ca n also be functionalized by various chemical

groups, which c an result in different materials s u c h a s
graphene oxide or fluorinated graphene
(functionalized with fluorine).
Electrical Properties of Graphene
• High electrical current density (million times that of
copper) and intrinsic mobility (100 times that of silicon)
• Lower resistivity than any other known material
at room temperature, including silver.
• There are also some methods to turn it into a
superconductor ( carry electricity with 100% efficiency)
• Although graphene, the fastest and most efficient
conductor, it cannot be readily used to make transistors
as it does not have a bandgap.
• There are several methods to open a
bandgap that are in existence and
some that are under development
 Optical Properties of Graphene
• Extremely thin, but still a visible material, as it absorbs
about 2.3% of white light (which is quite a lot for a 2D
material) i.e. 98% of visible light passes through
graphene, making it transparent

• Combine this with graphene’s amazing electronic

properties, and it turns out that graphene can
theoretically be used to make very efficient solar cells

• In addition, absorbing 2.3% of

visible light still makes graphene
very much transparent to the
human eye, which may have
various uses. E.g.: Used to make
transparent conductors
 Potential Uses of Graphene
Water Filtration Systems: For purification of water a s it
allows water to pa ss , but not other liquids and gases
Touch Screens in Devices: Transparency and
conductivity of graphene can be us ed in displays and
touchscreens, however more expensive to produce than
currently us ed indium tin oxide

In Electronic Devices: Touted a s

Siliocon’s successor and has
been used to make very fast
transistors. However, its
conductivity cannot be switched
off a s Silicon can.
 Potential Uses of Graphene
Sensors :Graphene as sensor is ultrasensitive as every atom
is exposed to it’s surrounding allowing it to sense changes in
the surrounding. For e.g.
➢ To produce Smart food Packaging that detects atmospheric
changes caused by decaying food.
➢ To protect the crops as Farmers would be able to monitor the
existence of any harmful gases and determine ideal areas for
growth of certain crops depending on atmospheric conditions
➢ To monitor stresses and strains in constructional components
➢ To detect biological agents like drugs in our body
➢ To detect light and used in camera
It is Multifunctional material and allows
To create micrometer sized sensor
 Potential Uses of Graphene
Drug delivery in Medical field:

➢ Several biomedical applications are being explored for

graphene, including drug delivery, cancer therapy, etc.

However, its toxicity profile must be investigated before

clinical use
Energy Storage & Composites:
➢ Used in normal batteries and supercapacitors a s a
Substitute for graphite that can
store more energy, charge faster
 Graphene Products
Head You Tek Graphene Instinct Tennis Racquet (In 2013 )
Uses Graphene coating on the shaft to make it stronger
and better controlled racket
Huawei’s Mate 20 X smartphone uses Graphene film cooling
technology for heat management purpose
Cardea uses a graphene based biosensors and AGILE system
which allows for real time detection of small molecules which
offer faster sample processing, greater accuracy, portability and
cost savings
Ford used Graphene reinforced foam
covers for noisy components in its
2019 F-150 and Mushtang cars
Nanomaterials: Carbon Nanotube

▪ Structure: Dimensionality, Details of Carbon atoms

arrangement and bonding, Figure (sheet) required

▪ Properties: Chemical, Physical or Mechanical, Electrical

property (electronics) and optical property, thermal

conductivity etc.

▪ Applications: Potential uses based on different properties

 Structure of Carbon Nanotube

➢ Tubular form of carbon with diameter as small

as 0.5 to 1 nm and Length: few nm to microns.
➢ Dimensionality: 1D
(but configurationally equivalent to
2D graphene sheet rolled into a tube)
➢ All Carbon atoms are sp2 hybridized
 Types: Carbon NanoTubes

• Single Wall CNT (SWCNT): One-atom

thick single tube
• Multi-Wall CNT (MWCNT): Buildup of
a number of concentric tubes
Based on the arrangement of Carbon atoms,
Carbon Nanotubes are further classified as:
 Properties: Carbon Nanotubes
➢ High Electrical Conductivity
➢ Very High Tensile Strength (Higher than steel and Kevlar)
➢ Highly Flexible- can be bent considerably without damage
➢ High Thermal Conductivity
➢ Light weight
➢ Highly Absorbent
➢ High Aspect Ratio
(length = ~1000 x diameter)
➢ Low Thermal Expansion Coefficient
➢ Very Elastic ~18% elongation to failure
 Electrical Properties of CNT
High Electrical properties:
Electrical Conductivity in nanotubes is based on the degree of
chirality – i.e. the degree of twist and size of the diameter of the
actual nanotube - which results in actually extremely
conductive (making it suitable as an interconnect on an
integrated circuit) or non-conductive (making it suitable as the
basis for semi-conductors) nanotube.
➢ Electron transport occurs only along
the axis of the tube.
➢ Single walled nanotubes can route
electrical signals at speeds up to 10 GHz
 Thermal Properties of CNT

High Thermal Conductivity:

The strength of the atomic bonds in carbon
nanotubes allows them to withstand high temperatures
Very good thermal conductors.
● When compared to copper wires, which are commonly
used as thermal conductors, the carbon nanotubes can
transmit over 15 times the amount of W/m K
● The thermal conductivity of CNT
depends on the temperature of tube
and the outside environment
Synthesis of Carbon Nanotubes
Carbon nanotubes can be synthesized by:
• Arc Discharge method
• Laser Ablation
• Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD)
➢ CVD has the highest potential for mass production of CNT
It can produce bulk amounts of defect-free CNTs at
relatively low temperatures.
➢ Arc Discharge method: Used to
synthesize CNTs in small quantities
➢ Laser Ablation
Applications of Carbon Nanotubes
Drug delivery:
CNT-Promising Drug Delivery Carrier
➢ Carbon nanotubes present the opportunity to work with
effective structures that have high drug loading
capacities and good cell penetration qualities
➢ Carbon nanotubes function with a larger inner
volume to be used as the drug container, large aspect
ratios for numerous
functionalization attachments,
and the ability to be readily taken
up by the cell
Applications of Carbon Nanotubes
Waste-water treatment:

➢ CNTs have a very large surface area (e.g.,~ 500 m2 per

gram of nanotube) that gives them a high capacity to
retain the pollutants
➢ Can also be Used as air filtration
Solar cells:
➢ Due to their strong UV/Vis-NIR
absorption characteristics,
SWNTs are a potential candidates
` for use in solar panels.
Applications of Carbon Nanotubes
Catalysts Support:
➢ CNTs provides an opportunity for Catalyst supports
because large surface area and ability to attach any
chemical species to their sidewalls (Functionalization)

Composites and Adhesives/Coatings:

➢ CNT Ceramic Reinforced Composite
➢ Used as adhesives of different
stiffness by varying the
concentration of CNTs
Applications of Carbon Nanotubes
Electronics Field:

➢ SWNT ropes are the most conductive carbon fibers known

➢ SWNT can be used as High performance and thin film
Field Effect Transistors (CNT based sensors) are wide
used to detect gases such as greenhouse gases in
environmental applications
➢ Bucky paper thin tube can be used as Heat Sink for
chipboards

.
Applications of Carbon Nanotubes
Used in various fields:
1) Medical field
2) Filtration Units
3) Structural materials
4) Textiles (Fabric and Fibers)
5) Plastic
6) Energy Storage
7) Composites etc.
 Nanomaterials: Quantum Dots
▪ Introduction: Definition, Common QD materials (group)

Dimensionality,

▪ General Feature: Effect of Interaction of UV light with

different sizes, Band gap tuning by size (splitting of energy

levels due to size/composition)

▪ Properties: Electronic and Optical

▪ Applications: Uses in Different domains

 Nanomaterials: Quantum Dots
▪ Definition: Quantum dots (QDs) are often referred to
very tiny man-made semiconductor nanoparticles/nano
structures whose sizes are normally not more than 10
nanometers (2-10nm), that exhibit 3-dimensional
quantum confinement, which leads to many unique
optical and transport properties

▪ QDs have ability to absorb the light and then emit a light
of specific λ with the release of energy
(Broadly, Quantum confinement means restricting the motion of
randomly moving electrons in very small particle to a specific
discrete energy levels rather than a quasi continuum of energy
 Nanomaterials: Quantum Dots

▪ Dimensionality: 0-dimensional nanostructure

Degree of freedom of particle momentum is zero while

motion of electron-hole pair is confined/restricted in all 3

spatial dimensions

Examples: Typically, QD composed of the elements of

periodic groups II-VI, III-V and IV-VI materials like CdSe,

CdS2, InSe, PbSe, InP, GaAs, CdSe/ZnS etc.

 Types of Quantum Dots
Quantum Dots can be classified based on their composition
and structure:
▪ Core Type QD: Single component material with uniform
composition like Chalcogenides (selenides,sulfides or
telurides) of metals like Cd, Pb or Zn
▪ Core Shell QD: Particles of one material embedded in
other, e.g. QD with CdSe in the core and ZnS in the shell
▪ Alloyed QD: Alloying together two semiconductor with
different composition
General Feature of Quantum Dots
• When illuminated by UV light, some of the electrons receive
enough energy to break free from the atoms.
• This capability allows them to move around the nanoparticle,
creating a conductance band in which electrons are free to
move through a material and conduct electricity. When these
electrons drop back into the outer orbit around the atom (the
valence band), they emit light.
• The color of that light depends on the energy difference
between the conductance band and the valence band
• A majority of QDs have the ability to emit light of specific
wavelengths if excited by light or electricity.
 Absorption and emission occur at specific
wavelengths, which are related to QD size.

Source: [Link]
 Properties of Quantum Dots
• QDs properties can be determined by their size, shape,
composition and structure.
• QDs show color glow when illuminated by UV light of
specific λ
Typically, smaller QDs (e.g., radius of 2~3 nm) emit
shorter wavelengths generating colors such as violet,
blue or green. While bigger QDs (e.g., radius of
5~6 nm) emit longer wavelengths generating colors like
yellow, orange or red.
Quantum Size Effect: Splitting of energy levels in QD
Source: [Link]/

Energy levels become discrete, and energy becomes larger

compared to bulk of same material
Semiconductor band gap increases with decrease in size
of the nanocrystal
 Properties of Quantum Dots
• Smaller QDs have a large bandgap
• Absorbance and luminescence spectrums are blue
shifted with decreasing particle size
• QDs are bandgap tunable by size/composition
which means optical and electrical properties
can be engineered to meet specific applications
Emission of different color of light by tuning the composition

Photoluminescence of alloyed CdSxSe1-x/ZnS quantum dots of

6nm diameter. The material emits different color of light by tuning
the composition

Source: [Link]/
Potential Uses of Quantum Dots
QDs find variety of applications in different domains:

➢ BioImaging

➢ LEDs

➢ Solar Cells

➢ Dyes

➢ Miniature Lasers communication devices

➢ TV/Electronic devices Displays etc.

Potential Uses of Quantum Dots
BioImaging:

➢ QDs are coated with hydrophilic polymers and also be

conjugated to obtain multifunctionality. They can be

linked with biological agents such as antibodies,

peptides, oligonucleotides, inhibitor molecules etc.

E.g. QDs can be used in cancer detection.

Detection of tumor in human body,

Multicolor Imaging of the tumor
tissue by QDs in live animals
 Potential Uses of Quantum Dots
BioImaging:
➢ In-vivo imaging poses problems with the clearance of
the particles from body.
(Toxicity and hazards effects needs to be evaluated
thoroughly)
➢ QDs of different colors are used for imaging multiple
target simultaneously.
CdSe/ZnS QDs used to
image cancer cells
Source: [Link]

Gao, Xiaohu. "In

vivo cancer
targeting and
imaging with."
Nature
Biotechnology
 Potential Uses of Quantum Dots

➢ Light Emitting Diodes:

Quantum dot light emitting diodes (QD-LED) and ‘QD-
White LED’ are very useful for displays in electronic devices
QD-LED displays can render colors very accurately and
use much less power than traditional displays.
Quantum-dot-based LEDs emission wavelength can be
easily tuned by changing the size of the quantum dots
Potential Uses of Quantum Dots
Solar Cells:

➢ Quantum dot (QD) solar cells have the potential to

increase the maximum conversion of efficiency of solar

photon conversion up to about 66% by utilizing hot

photogenerated carriers to produce higher photovoltages

or higher photocurrents

➢ Cost effective
➢ Cu-InSe sulfide QD–nontoxic than QDs containing
Pb/Cd
Potential Uses of Quantum Dots
Alternative to traditional Dyes:
➢ Quantum dots are an attractive alternative to
traditional organic dyes because of their high quantum
yield (brighter emission) and photostability.
➢ The quantum yield of some QDs is 20 times greater
than traditional organic fluorophores
Thanks!!!