NANOSCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (3170509), Sem- VII (CHEM)

Chapter Name: Applications of Nanotechnology in Chemical Industry

APPLICATIONS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY IN CHEMICAL INDUSTRY

• Nanomaterials have shown use within the chemical engineering fields due to their small size and
great potential in designing efficient catalysts. However, their preparation remains difficult, a
challenge that chemical engineering can help to alleviate.
• Chemical engineering has matured to the point that numerous commodity items based on well-
established methods are available. It is common knowledge that a material's micro and
nanostructure, in conjunction with its chemical composition, is crucial in defining its qualities.
Controlling the microstructure as well as composition at the micro and nanoscale is therefore
critical for future breakthroughs.
• Nanotechnology can be used to manipulate the structure of nanomaterials to enhance their
properties. Also, nanotechnology can offer insights into a particle's crystallite and agglomerate size
due to the multiple characterization techniques available.
• Polymers manufactured in the chemical industry have their structure altered using nanotechnology
for use in different chemical applications and industrial activities. Catalysis is a procedure that is
often employed in the chemical industry to improve the efficiency of the synthetic chemistry of
compounds by speeding up the reaction. Nanotechnology is now being utilized in the chemical
industry to develop rules to increase the catalytic performance of industrially manufactured goods.
• Nanotechnology is used to clean ceramic and other commercial materials. Ceramic surfaces contain
chemicals and industrial wastes that must be removed and cleaned. Nanoparticles are employed to
clean surfaces and defend them from environmental damage. Due to their long shelf life, these
nanomaterials are effective for extended periods.
• Various technologies are employed to increase chemical filtration processes' strength and
operating capacity. Nano-filtration is one of the major uses of nanotechnology in chemistry owing
to its breakthroughs in compound production at the nanoscale level. Filtration may be done using
technical or chemical methods such as using nanowalls with specific pore diameters that allow only
liquid to pass through membranes.

APPLICATIONS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY IN CATALYSIS

• Increased selectivity and activity of catalysts by controlling pore size and particle characteristics

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• Replacement of precious metal catalysts by catalysts tailored at the nanoscale and use of base
metals, thus improving chemical reactivity and reducing process costs
• Catalytic membranes by design that can remove unwanted molecules from gases or liquids by
controlling the pore size and membrane characteristics
• In view of the numerous potential benefits that can accrue through their use, nanostructured
catalysts have been the subject of considerable research attention in recent times. Many
applications and patents have also been realized adopting such nanostructured catalysts leading to
significant process improvements as exemplified below.

Types & characteristics of nanomaterials as in catalysis

Different sectors for nano-catalysis

A. Biomass Sector:
A.1. Application: Biomass gasification to produce high syn gas and biomass pyrolysis for production of
bio-oil
• Process Improvements:
• Novel Al2O3 supported NiO catalyst reduces tar yield significantly and increases tar removal
efficiency to 99%
• Significant increase in gas yield
• Lighter fractions of H2 & CO are increased in the syn gas composition while heavier fractions of CH4
& CO are reduced, thus improving syn gas quality
• Catalyst: Nano NiO catalyst supported on γ- Al2O3 microspheres of 3 mm size (Johnson Mathey
Company, greater than 99% purity)

A.2. Application: Production of biodiesel from waste cooking oil

• Process Improvements:
• Esterification of fatty acids (FFAs) and transesterification of triglycerides to biodiesel in one pot

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• Solid acid nanocatalysis of Al0.9H0.3PW12O40 nanotubes with double acid sites yield 96% of
biodiesel from waste cooking oil as compared to 42.6% with conventional H3PW12O40 catalyst
Catalyst: Aluminium dodeca-tungsto-phosphate (Al0.9H0.3PW12O40) nanotubes as solid catalysts
with surface area of 278 m2/g

A.3. Application: Green diesel production using Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis (FTS)

• Process Improvements:
• Improving the FTS technology for production of high molecular weight waxes, followed by their
hydrocracking to generate liquid fuels
• Improved efficiency of slurry and fixed-bed reactors, used in FTS from biosyngas
• Produce long, linear-chain paraffin waxes in fixed bed & slurry FTS reactors
• Catalyst:
• Nano Fe and Co powders (10-50 nm) are used as FTS catalysts in slurry reactors, promoted by other
metals like Mn, Cu & alkalis
• Produced by thermal plasma chemical vapor deposition (TPCVD) and cluster spray techniques
• Minimize liquid-solid diffusion resistance
• Multi-walled carbon nanofilaments (MWCNF), produced by CO2 sequestration via dry reforming for
gas-to-liquid FTS, with the iron carbide content rendering catalytic activity

B. Oil, Gas & Fossil Fuels Sector:

• Paraffin Dehydrogenation
• Naphtha Reforming
• Selective Hydrogenation
• Hydrodesufurization

B.1. Application: Improved economic catalytic combustion of JP-10 aviation fuel using hydrocarbon fuel
soluble nano catalyst
• Process Improvements:
• 50 ppm addition of catalyst in JP-10 reduces the ignition temperature required to initiate
combustion by about 240°C
• Catalyst: Hexanethiol monolayer protected Palladium clusters < 1.5 nm

B.2. Application: Hydrogen production by steam reforming of ethanol over nanostructured indium
oxide catalysts
• Process Improvements:
• At 623K, 99% conversion with mesoporous In2O3/KIT-6 catalyst exhibit high production rates from
ethyl alcohol at low-temperatures and yield low concentration of CO impurity in comparison with
other reported catalysts
• Catalyst: Mesoporous In2O3 prepared using Mobil Composition of Matter No. 41 (MCM-41) silica
catalyst as templates with particle size of 2-3 nm and surface area of 107 m2/g to 173 m2/g
• Application: Adsorptive desulfurization and bio desulfurization of fossil oils
• Process Improvements: In situ coupling desulfurization using assembly of nano adsorbents (nano γ-
Al2O3) onto surfaces of Pseudomonas de lafieldii

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• Catalyst: Nano γ- Al2O3 (10 nm in width and 100-200 nm in length) with specific surface area of 339
m2/g

B.3. Application: Hydrodesulfurization of diesel

• Process Improvements: Hydrodesulfurization of dibenzothiophene increased by 20% using SDM
NiMo/Al-HMS nanocatalyst at 330°C as compared to commercial catalysts.
• Catalyst: Synthesis of new NiMo/Al hexagonal, mesoporous structured nanocomposite catalyst by
supercritical deposition method

C. Fuel Cells Sector:

C.1. Application: Core-shell nanocatalysts for fuel cell applications
• Process Improvements:
• Pt atoms are placed at the surface of other metal nanoparticles
• All the Pt atoms are available for catalytic reactions at the surface
• Pt clusters on ruthenium nanoparticles produce high activity per unit of Pt mass
• Catalyst: Smooth and compact Pt shell for better oxygen reduction reactions in fuel cell applications

C.2. Application: In situ hydrogen production by reaction of ammonia and nanocatalysts

• Process Improvements:
• Ammonia is stored as a coordination complex with a transition metal compound in solid
composition
• It acts as the hydrogen fuel precursor for a vehicle internal combustion engine that is operated to
use hydrogen or a combination of hydrogen and gasoline as fuel
• Ammonia dissociation catalyst tube containing a catalyst bed and maintained at 750°C is used to
dissociate ammonia into nitrogen and hydrogen atoms
• Catalyst: The dissociation catalyst is a mixture of nanometer size particles of Co-NiO-Cu-Zr catalyst
deposited on high surface area of TiO2 and 2% Pt deposited on alumina particles

Difference between Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Nano catalysts:

Homogeneous Nano catalysts Heterogeneous Nano catalysts

• A solution or suspension of nanoparticles in a • Catalyst, which is in different phase to the

solvent i.e. catalyst is in same phase to the reactants.
reactants.
• It is a must to consider how to prevent its • It is always considered as more
aggregation when designing a Nano-catalyst environmentally friendly catalysis due to its
for use in a solution. high recoverability.
• Nanoparticles have a special characteristics to • Ease of recovery. The heterogeneous catalyst
aggregate and will clump together to form usually a solid or immobilized solid inert
larger particles, if it is not prevented properly, material.
Nano particles lose their large surface are and
other characteristics by forming large particle.
• High Selectivity • Low Selectivity
• High adaptability • Low adaptability

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• Low thermic and pressure stability • High thermic pressure and stability
• Easy control on mixing and concentration • Difficult control on mixing and concentration
• Shorter life and requires extensive step of • Longer life and requires economical step of
recovery recovery

Merits and Demerits of Homogeneous catalysts and Heterogeneous catalysts & Merits of Nano catalysts:

APPLICATIONS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY IN FUEL CELLS

• Approach Nanoparticle Electrolyte:
• Nano-sized electrolyte particles dramatically increase active surface area and hence increases the
performance of fuel cell.
• Active catalytic surface area: On increasing the catalytic surface area, subsequently it increases the
performance of the fuel cell.
• There are many application of Nano Fuel Cell. Mainly it is classified in three areas:
a) Transport
b) Portable
c) Stationary

a) Application in Transport:
• The fuel cell bus sector is showing year-on-year growth, with more prototypes being unveiled.
• Light duty vehicles (LDVs), such as cars and vans.
• Ferries and smaller boats.

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b) Application in Portable:
• Fuel Cell today defines portable fuel cells as those which are built into, or charge up, products that
are designed to be moved. These include military applications (portable soldier power, skid
mounted fuel cell generators etc), Auxiliary Power Units (APU) (e.g. for the leisure and trucking
industries), portable products (torches, vine trimmers etc).
• The NANOTECH REGENERATIVE FUEL CELLS provides solutions for the problems, which are
effectively in internal combustion engines. Here, developments in fuel cells are making it useful in
ultimate ways. It concludes that our environment and renewable resources will be preserve. It will
lead to a new evolution in automobiles. To compress more power into smaller volumes, researchers
have begun to build fuel cells on the fuzzy frontier of nanotechnology.

Merits of nanotechnology in fuel cells:

• It is eco-friendly , noiseless and has no rotating part.
• Wide chioce of fuel for fuel cell.
• Higher efficiency up to 60% as compared to conventional which has 30%.
• Require less space.
• In addition to electric power, fuel cell plant also supply hot water, space heat and stream.
• No transmission and distribution losses.
• development of a "nanoplate" catalyst using platinum and lead that has both a high level of oxygen
reduction and a long lifetime.
• the ability to significantly reduce the amount of platinum needed as a catalyst in fuel cells. by
controlling the packing density of the platinum nanoparticles they could reduce the amount of
platinum needed.
• The catalyst is made from a sheet of graphene coated with cobalt nanoparticles. If this catalyst
works out for production use with fuel cells it should be much less expensive than platinum based
catalysts.
• nanoparticles containing less than a dozen gold atoms are very effective photocatalysts for the
generation of hydrogen.

Demerits of nanotechnology in fuel cells:

• Cost to implement a fuel cell system exceeds $ 4000 per KW.
• Lack of Hydrogen Infrastructure.
• Low life time of Fuel cell.
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How can nanotechnology improve fuel cells?

• Catalysts are used with fuels such as hydrogen or methanol to produce hydrogen ions. Platinum,
which is very expensive, is the catalyst typically used in this process. Companies are using
nanoparticles of platinum to reduce the amount of platinum needed, or using nanoparticles of
other materials to replace platinum entirely and thereby lower costs.
• Fuel cells contain membranes that allow hydrogen ions to pass through the cell but do not allow
other atoms or ions, such as oxygen, to pass through. Companies are using nanotechnology to
create more efficient membranes; this will allow them to build lighter weight and longer lasting fuel
cells.
• Small fuel cells are being developed that can be used to replace batteries in handheld devices such
as PDAs or laptop computers. Most companies working on this type of fuel cell are using methanol
as a fuel and are calling them DMFC's, which stands for direct methanol fuel cell. DMFC's are
designed to last longer than conventional batteries. In addition, rather than plugging your device
into an electrical outlet and waiting for the battery to recharge, with a DMFC you simply insert a
new cartridge of methanol into the device and you're ready to go.
• Fuel cells that can replace batteries in electric cars are also under development. Hydrogen is the
fuel most researchers propose for use in fuel cell powered cars. In addition to the improvements to
catalysts and membranes discussed above, it is necessary to develop a lightweight and safe
hydrogen fuel tank to hold the fuel and build a network of refueling stations. To build these tanks,
researchers are trying to develop lightweight nanomaterials that will absorb the hydrogen and only
release it when needed. The Department of Energy is estimating that widespread usage of
hydrogen powered cars will not occur until approximately 2020.

APPLICATIONS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY IN DRUG DELIVERY AND DIAGNOSTICS

• Treatment that employs large size material for drug delivery presents problems such as poor bio-
viability, low solubility, a lack of targeted delivery and generalized side effects. The application of
nanotechnology for drug delivery provides the potential for enhanced treatments with targeted
delivery and fewer side effects.

1. Tissue Engineering:

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• Nanotechnology has vast applications in tissue engineering. It can be used for tissue repair, as
tissue replacement, generation of tissues, as surgical aids and in bone repair.
• Tissue engineering of bones also require complex formation of cell types such as osteoblasts,
osteoclasts and osteocytes. This complex environment can be created by application of carbon
nanotubes. Multiwalled carbon nanotubes has been proven to produce bone repair. Also, carbon
nanotubes can be utilised for cardiac tissue engineering.

2. Oral drug delivery:

• Oral drug delivery remains one the prominent and oldest route of drug administration. However,
this route fails to deliver certain category of drugs like water insoluble drugs, protein and peptides,
drugs which gets destroyed by gastric environment. In such cases nanotechnology can play a vital
role.
• Drugs loaded in nanoparticles will be protected from gastric environment as well as solubility of
such drugs can be increased which in turn increases the bioavailability. Also, protein and peptide
delivery through oral route is possible by use of nanotechnology.

3. Ocular drug delivery:

• One of the disadvantages of drug delivery through ocular route is rapid precorneal elimination and
drainage of dosage form. For increasing permeation of drug through cornea and reduce frequency
of administration drug can be formulated in dosage form by using nanotechnology.

4. Pulmonary drug delivery:

• Size reduction of drug plays a vital role in improvement of drug efficiency. If drug is converted into
nanopharmaceuticals then it an be directly targeted to lungs by mechanically intervention of
capillary bed of the lungs. Different types of nano based formulations are utilised for pulmonary
drug delivery such as beclomethasone lipid nanocarriers, budesonide solid lipid nanoparticles and
liposomes, curcumin polymeric nanoparticles, indomethacin nanoparticles, fluticasone dried
nanoparticles, amikacin liposomes, tacrolimus nanoparticles, etc.

5. Brain targeting:
• For targeting drugs to the brain, Blood Brain Barrier (BBB) plays an important role. It creates a firm
blockade between brain and molecules entering into blood. It prevents entry of potential toxic
chemicals into brain but this also prevents entry of desired drug molecules into brain.
Nanotechnology can be used to overcome this hurdle. Nanopharmaceuticals can penetrate inside
the brain along with drug.

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6. Gene therapy:
• Gene therapy is used for treatment of various genetic disorders like haemophilia, cystic fibrosis and
tumours. Delivery of gene at desired site is still a herculean task. Genetic material is unstable and
get easily destroyed by biological environment as well as genetic material fail to cross various
biological membranes.
• Viral vectors are being utilised for delivery of genes conventionally. But major problem associated
with viral vectors is that they may induce immunological response. This problem can be overcome
by using non-viral vectors such as liposomes, nanoparticles, nanocarriers, etc. genetic material can
be encapsulated inside the carriers.

Advantages of nanotechnology in drug delivery:

• Improve the ability to deliver drugs that are poorly water soluble and due to that efficiency of that
drug can be enhanced.
• Provide site-specific targeting to reduce drug accumulation within healthy tissue. This will leads to
fewer side effects as compared to conventional drug which needed in higher quantity as compared
to site-specific targeted drug.
• Help to retain the drug in the body long enough for effective treatment.
• The extension of drug bio-activity through protection from the biological environment.
• Allow for the transportation of drugs across cell barriers.
• Combine therapeutic and diagnostic modalities into one agent.

APPLICATIONS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY IN COATINGS

• Nano-coating, also known as a ceramic coating is the process of applying a surface layer that repels
dry particles, water, oil and dirt. They can be found in both liquid and solid form and provide
characteristics that are favourable. For instance, a nano coating can make a surface scratch
resistant, improve hardness, or make it resistant to bacteria.

Figure: surface layer with and without nanocoating

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• The most important modifying property of surfaces is coating. The properties such as, excellent
resistance for chemicals, better barrier properties, super hydrophobicity, and corrosion resistance
are exhibited by nanoclay incorporated thermoset polymer nanocoatings.
• The process parameters, such as dipping time, nature of surfactant, temperature, etc., determine
the coating thickness. The thermoset polymer nanocoatings which are incorporated clay and
nanosilver could improve the antibacterial properties and is used in medical sectors.

Figure: surface layer that repels dry particles, water, oil and dirt.

Types and Applications

Types Applications
Anti-corrosive When applied to a metal, the coating stops chemical compounds coming into
coatings contact with corrosive materials, this stops processes like oxidation.
Waterproof and non- A hydrophilic coating can be applied to various pieces of clothing, whilst the non-
stick clothing stick has applications in furniture, electricals and glass.
Antibacterial coating These coatings help to inhibit the growth of microorganisms, which is particularly
suitable for areas such as public transport
Thermal barrier This type of coating is particularly prevalent in the aviation industry and is normally
coating applied to metallic surfaces. The elevated temperatures that planes work at have
opened up the possibility of the coatings’ use in high powered automobiles
Anti-abrasion The main application of this coating is to prolong the life cycle of the surface by
coatings lessening the amount of friction that occurs.
Self-healing coatings The filled nano-capsules inside this coating help repair the surface should any
scratching occur. They can be found in everyday items including phones and
automotive paints.
Anti-reflection This coating does not increase transmission, rather it just reduces the reflection on
coatings the incident side
Anti-graffiti coatings These are invisible to the naked eye and prevent costly expenditure to the
government and companies in cleaning up graffiti.

Advantages of nanotechnology in coatings

• Easy to clean
• Sustainable (25 year lifetime)
• Breathable
• Resistance

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APPLICATIONS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY IN NANOCOMPOSITE POLYMERS

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• Above fig. shows the various uses of polymer nanocomposites irrespective of the nature of the field
used. By the hydrolysis of tetraethyl-ortho-silicate, the hybrids made of poly rubber (dimethyl
siloxane) and nanosilica can be given a specific shape like objects, such as golf balls.
• Many number of polymer nanocomposites for example, rubber, propylene, styrene butadiene
rubber, and ethylene vinyl acetate are used in barrier applications.
• They can act as a tremendous barrier for chemicals like toluene, sulfuric acid, and hydrochloric acid
as well as for several gases such as, carbon dioxide, oxygen, and nitrogen. They are also utilized in
chemical protective and surgical gloves as they have excellent solvent barrier properties in order for
avoiding contamination from medicine.
• Polymer nanocomposites are also used in food packaging, and the particular examples for food
packaging includes processed cheese, meat, and dairy products also the medical containers for
carrying blood collection tubes, baby pacifiers, and drinking water bottles. To enhance the barrier,
mechanical properties and the life of the product clay-based polymer nanocomposites are been
used in plastic bottles .
• Nanocomposites are also incorporated for beer bottle manufacture, so as to reduce many problems
like biological and non-biological aspects, beer colloids instability, oxygen permeation, and change
in taste due to light exposure.
• The double core Wilson tennis ball is the most recently commercialized sports goods (Figure 6), in
which the coating of clay nanocomposites is done in order to maintain the internal pressure for a
long period of time and also the core is coated by butyl rubber clay nanocomposite which doubled
the shell life and acts a gas barrier.

Figure: The core of this Wilson tennis ball is covered by a polymer-clay nanocomposite coating.

APPLICATIONS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY IN NANO-FLUID

• A nanofluid is a fluid containing nanometer-sized particles, called nanoparticles. These fluids are
engineered colloidal suspensions of nanoparticles in a base fluid. The nanoparticles used in
nanofluids are typically made of metals, oxides, carbides, or carbon nanotubes. Common base
fluids include water, ethylene glycol and oil.
• Nanofluids have novel properties that make them potentially useful in many applications in heat
transfer, including microelectronics, fuel cells, pharmaceutical processes, and hybrid-powered
engines, engine cooling/vehicle thermal management, domestic refrigerator, chiller, heat
exchanger, in grinding, machining and in boiler flue gas temperature reduction. They exhibit
enhanced thermal conductivity and the convective heat transfer coefficient compared to the base
fluid.
• Nanofluids are primarily used for their enhanced thermal properties as coolants in heat transfer
equipment such as heat exchangers, electronic cooling system (such as flat plate) and radiators.

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they are also useful for their controlled optical properties. Graphene based nanofluid has been
found to enhance Polymerase chain reaction efficiency.
• Nanofluids in solar collectors is another application where nanofluids are employed for their
tunable optical properties. Nanofluids have also been explored to enhance thermal desalination
technologies, by altering thermal conductivity and absorbing sunlight.
• Many researches claim that nanoparticles can be used to enhance crude oil recovery. It is evident
that development of nanofluids for oil and gas industry has a great practical aspect.
• Another word used to describe nanoparticle-based suspensions is Nano lubricants. They are mainly
prepared using oils used for engine and machine lubrication

APPLICATIONS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY IN FLUID INKS & DYES

• Nanotechnology is used in the characteristics imported to the textiles, which include self-cleaning
fabrics, dye capability enhancement, flame retardation, UV and anti-static protection, anti-bacteria,
wrinkle resistance, soil resistance, and water repellence. Significant applications are explained
shortly among them.
• The coating forms pores only a few nanometers in diameter in which the ink droplets are trapped
and then quickly dry.
• Ink jet inks cannot easily penetrate glossy paper, which is what a lot of people want for their
photographs, so a coating with nanopores is a solution to this difficulty.
• nanoparticles technology is pigments for ink jet inks, which need to be an ultra-small size to work
properly with printheads and to achieve sufficient stability on substrate.
• Inks with Nano-particles and structures can be used in most printing processes including printed
electronics.
• Inkjet printing is a type of computer printing that recreates a digital image by propelling droplets of
ink onto paper and plastic substrates. Inkjet printers are the most commonly used type of printer,
and range from small inexpensive consumer models to expensive professional machines.
• Inkjet inks require small particles in their formulation especially for dyes and pigments, and thus
benefits greatly from nanotechnology. Researchers state that the inkjet printing technology is
growing side by side with the development of nanomaterials.

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• Nano materials that have been inkjet printed are also used for photochromic and electrochromic
visual effects and markers, flame retardants, conductive graphite and metals, antimicrobials,
magnetic materials, enzymes and other biomaterials and liquid crystals.
• Nanomaterials are printed on a range of substrates for making labels and tags, luminescent displays
using organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), flexible batteries, sensors and solar energy cells.
• Nanomaterials in both traditional and inkjet inks are being used for anti-counterfeiting, security,
and brand protection purposes.
• Exfoliated nanocomposite of silicates in a polymer solution can be printed as a barrier coating for
products such as foodstuffs. it helps to reduce oxygen transmissions levels than other traditional
packaging barrier materials, and provides excellent barrier properties.

APPLICATIONS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY IN BLOCK COPOLYMERS

• Block copolymers are versatile polymers with unique properties and come in many types and
shapes. Their properties are highly dependent on the blocks of the copolymers, thus allowing easy
tunability of its properties.

• Block copolymers nanostructures (BCPNs) is a special type of block copolymers with one dimension
within the domains vary from 10 nm to 100 nm and might be controlled by ever-changing the
general relative molecular mass of the macromolecule.

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• Block copolymers (BCP) are comprised of at least two different, immiscible polymers that are
covalently linked. These materials evolve spontaneously in organized structures with domains of
nanometer size.
• Their applicability to nanotechnology stems from the scale of the microdomains and the convenient
tunability of size, shape, periodicity and properties afforded by changing their molecular
parameters
• Block copolymer nanostructures (BCPNs) are smart, intelligent and environment sensitive
nanostructures designed to respond, in a controlled manner to an external stimulus. BCPNs are
being extensively utilized in pharmaceutical field, nanotechnology and in forensics.
• Recent analysis in block copolymers nanostructures suggests that they will be helpful in making
self- constructing materials with potential utility in semiconductor arrays.

1. Nanoparticles:
• block-copolymer-based nanoparticles have been investigated for the delivery of small- and
largemolecule drugs

2. Micelles:
• The inner core of micelles is made of a hydrophobic block for the loading of poorly water-soluble
drugs, whereas the outer shell comprises the hydrophilic segments of the copolymer, delaying the
drug release in addition to providing a protective barrier between the core and external
environment.
• The simple chemical modification of the block copolymers allows optimization of drug loading, drug
release and surface functionalization with targeting moieties, and stability of micelles.

3. Composite and hybrid nanosystems:

• Block-copolymer-based composite nanosystems (nanoparticles suspended in a hydrogel matrix)
have received a great amount of attention in drug delivery applications [38,39]. The suspended
nanoparticles in the composite nanosystems encounter an additional diffusion barrier in the gel
matrix, which provides the opportunity for a long-term drug release with minimal burst-release
effect especially for large molecules
• The colloidal stability, drug encapsulation ability and magnetic properties of the mixed nanosystem
showed potential for utilization of these hybrid nanostructures as drug delivery and triggered
release systems, as well as for bioimaging applications.

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3. Hydrogels
• Hydrogels can be generated from graft or multi-block copolymers. The porous, soft nature and
high-water content of hydrogels are suitable for encapsulation and sustained release of
watersoluble drugs including proteins and peptides. Owing to their specific rheological
characteristics, hydrogels are broadly investigated in drug delivery applications.
• In recent years, the pH- and temperature-responsive copolymer-based hydrogels have received
attention owing to their sol–gel phase transition properties in response to external stimuli.

APPLICATIONS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY IN DENDRIMERS

Applications of dendrimers:
1. Blood substitution: The stearic bulk surrounding a hememimeticcentre significantly slows
degradation compared to free heme.
2. Sensors: Cadmium-sulfide/polypropyleniminetetrahexacontamine dendrimer composites to detect
fluorescence signal quenching.
3. Solubility enhancers: Dendrimers have hydrophobic core and hydrophilic outer surface. This
enhances solubility of poorly soluble drugs by forming cascade and nonskid-chain like synthesis of
covalent, non covalent complexes with drug molecules.
4. Gene transfection: Dendrimers are non-viral gene transfer agents, enhancing transfection by
endocytosis.
5. Dendrimers as nanoparticles: Poly(amidoamine) dendrimers have tertiary amine group at the
branching point. Metal ions are introduced into aqueous solution of dendrimer and metal ions form
complex with lone pair of electrons present at the tertiary amines. The ions are then reduced to
zerovalent state to form nanoparticles that is encapsulated within the dendrimer.

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6. Dendrimers as nano-drugs: Polylysine dendrimers with sulfonated naphthyl group are antiviral. PPI
dendrimers with tertiary alkyl ammonium groups attached to the surface are antibacterial.
Chitosan- Dendrimers hybrids have been used as antibacterial agents.
7. Dendrimer hydrogel for ocular drug delivery: Cross linked networks in dendrimers increase in
volume in aqueous solution. Adding PEG groups to dendrimers extends their application to cartilage
tissue production and for sealing ophthalmic injuries. Drug attached to the dendrimers efficiently
deliver the drug to the eyes.
8. Dendrimers in pulmonary drug delivery: Dendrimers have been used for pulmonary delivery of
Enoxaparin. G2 and G3 positively charged PAMAM dendrimers increased bioavailability of drug.
Positively charged dendrimer forms complex with enoxaparin.
9. Dendrimers in transdermal drug delivery: Dendrimers improve solubility and plasma circulation via
transdermal formulation. PAMAM dendrimers complex with NSAID’S improve drug permeation
through the skin as penetration enhancers. PAMAM-Indomethacin complex as model drug was
reported to be effective.
10. Dendrimers for targeted drug delivery:
Active and passive targeting of cancer cells

11. Dendrimers mimicking in angiogenesis: Angiogenesis is an important process for tumor growth
initiated by angiogenic factors. These factors bind to receptors on endothelial cells with
dependence on heparin. Endostatin binds to heparin and prevents angiogenesis. Dendrimers which
mimic structure of endostatin exhibit antiangiogenic activity. Eg: TX-1943 AND TX-1944 38
12. Dendrimers as carriers or scaffolds for diagnosis and therapy: Medium size dendrimers(5nm) are
used for MRI contrast agents. The highly branched dendrimers are used for tissue engineering
applications, cross linking agents, modulators of surface charge and surface chemistry and in
scaffolds that mimic natural extracellular matrices.
13. Dendrimers in boron neutron capture therapy: The cancer patient is injected with boron attach to
dendrimer. It migrates to cancerous cells. Then irradiate with neutral beam of low energy neutrons.
This generates alpha particles which destroy tumour cells.
14. Dendrimers in vaccine development: Dendrimers are used as carriers for small antigens, making it
possible to prepare multimeric antigenic conjugates.

APPLICATIONS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY IN CARBON NANOTUBES

APPLICATIONS
• The unique nature of carbon combines with the molecular perfection of single-wall CNTs to endow
them with extraordinary material properties, such as very high thermal and electrical conductivity,

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stiffness, strength, and toughness. It is the only element in the periodic table which bonds to itself
in an extended network with the strength of the carbon-carbon bond.
• The delocalized pi-electron donated by each atom is free to move about the whole structure,
instead of remaining with its donor atom, resulting in the first known molecule with metallic-type
electrical conductivity. Moreover, an intrinsic thermal conductivity higher than even diamond is
offered by the high-frequency carbon-carbon bond vibrations.
• In most materials, however, due to the occurrence of defects in their structure, the actual observed
material properties such as strength, electrical conductivity, and so on are degraded very
significantly. For example, high-strength steel typically fails at only around 1% of its theoretical
breaking strength. However, CNTs achieve values very near to their theoretical limits owing to their
molecular perfection of structure. This aspect is part of the unique story of CNTs.
• CNTs are examples of true nanotechnology: they are only about a nanometer in diameter, but are
molecules that can be manipulated physically and chemically in very useful ways. They find an
incredible range of applications in electronics, materials science, energy management, chemical
processing, and many other fields.

APPLICATION OF CNT
1. Electronics applications of CNTs
• Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) and their compounds exhibit extraordinary electrical properties for
organic materials, and have a huge potential in electrical and electronic applications such as
photovoltaics, sensors, semiconductor devices, displays, conductors, smart textiles and energy
conversion devices (e.g., fuel cells, harvesters and batteries).

2. Biomedical applications of CNTs

• Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) represent one of the most studied allotropes of carbon. The unique
physicochemical properties of CNTs make them among prime candidates for numerous applications
in biomedical fields including drug delivery, gene therapy, biosensors, and tissue engineering
applications
3. Breast cancer tumor destruction:
• nanotubes are used to destroy breast cancer tumors. They play with an antibody. The antibody
along with nanotubes is attracted to the proteins by cancer cells in the body and nanotubes absorb
the laser beam killing the bacteria of the tumor.

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Chapter Name: Applications of Nanotechnology in Chemical Industry

4. Windmill blades:
• hello tubes are also used in the windmill blades because of their low weight . It increases the
efficiency of the windmill and helps to produce more electricity at a faster rate.

5. Filtration:
• carbon nanotubes can be used to separate particles of size greater than the diameter of carbon
nanotubes during filtration through them. They can also be used to trap smaller sized ions from a
solution.

6. Carbon nanotubes as Nano cylinders:

• gas like H2, for energy, battery for vehicles can be safely stored inside the carbon nanotubes and
the problem of H2 storage hazards can be solved. Carbon nanotubes have also been shown to
absorb infrared light and may have applications in the IR optics industry.

7. Aircraft stress reduction:

• nanotubes are also used in space and aircraft to reduce the weight and stress of the various
components working together.

8. Other uses of carbon nanotubes –

• CNTs Thermal Conductivity
• CNTs Energy Storage
• CNTs Structural Applications
• CNTs Fibers & Fabrics
• CNTs Biomedical Applications
• CNTs Air & Water Filtration
• CNTs field emission
• CNTs conductive properties
• CNTs conductive adhesive
• CNTs thermal materials
• Molecular electronics based on CNTs
• CNTs structural applications
• CNTs catalyst & CNTs catalyst supports

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