Nanoforms

Nanoforms are materials or entities engineered to have at least one dimension in the nanoscale, roughly 1 to 100 nanometers. At this scale many materials exhibit properties different from bulk forms, including changes in reactivity, strength, optics, electronics, and biological interactions. Nanoforms include nanoparticles, nanorods, nanotubes, nanosheets, and other nanoscale structures, as well as nano-sized forms produced from larger compounds.

Synthesis methods are categorized as top-down or bottom-up. Top-down reduces bulk material to nanoscale; bottom-up assembles materials from atoms or molecules. Techniques include chemical precipitation, colloidal synthesis, sol-gel processing, vapor deposition, and self-assembly. Characterization relies on microscopy, spectroscopy, and scattering, such as transmission and scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, dynamic light scattering, X-ray diffraction, and related analyses to determine size, shape, surface chemistry, and crystallinity.

Applications span medicine, electronics, energy, catalysis, and the environment. In medicine, nanoforms enable targeted drug delivery, imaging, and diagnostics. In electronics and sensors, they improve performance and enable miniaturization. In energy, nanomaterials can enhance batteries, catalysts, and solar devices. In coatings and environmental remediation, high surface area and reactive interfaces are valuable.

Safety, regulation, and ethics are essential considerations. Potential toxicity, environmental fate, and long-term effects depend on composition, size, and surface chemistry. Regulatory frameworks and standards for nanomaterials are evolving, guiding risk assessment, labeling, and reporting. Researchers seek to balance innovation with responsible development and sustainable use.