Dhannia, T; Dr. S. Jayalekshmi(Cochin University of Science and Technology, January 30, 2012)
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Abstract:
In recent years, nanoscience and nanotechnology has emerged as one of
the most important and exciting frontier areas of research interest in almost all
fields of science and technology. This technology provides the path of many
breakthrough changes in the near future in many areas of advanced technological
applications. Nanotechnology is an interdisciplinary area of research and
development. The advent of nanotechnology in the modern times and the
beginning of its systematic study can be thought of to have begun with a lecture by
the famous physicist Richard Feynman. In 1960 he presented a visionary and
prophetic lecture at the meeting of the American Physical Society entitled “there is
plenty of room at the bottom” where he speculated on the possibility and potential of
nanosized materials.
Synthesis of nanomaterials and nanostructures are the essential aspects of
nanotechnology. Studies on new physical properties and applications of
nanomaterials are possible only when materials are made available with desired
size, morphology, crystal structure and chemical composition. Cerium oxide (ceria)
is one of the important functional materials with high mechanical strength, thermal
stability, excellent optical properties, appreciable oxygen ion conductivity and
oxygen storage capacity. Ceria finds a variety of applications in mechanical
polishing of microelectronic devices, as catalysts for three-way automatic exhaust
systems and as additives in ceramics and phosphors. The doped ceria usually has
enhanced catalytic and electrical properties, which depend on a series of factors
such as the particle size, the structural characteristics, morphology etc. Ceria based
solid solutions have been widely identified as promising electrolytes for
intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). The success of many
promising device technologies depends on the suitable powder synthesis
techniques. The challenge for introducing new nanopowder synthesis techniques is to preserve high material quality while attaining the desired composition. The
method adopted should give reproducible powder properties, high yield and must
be time and energy effective. The use of a variety of new materials in many
technological applications has been realized through the use of thin films of these
materials. Thus the development of any new material will have good application
potential if it can be deposited in thin film form with the same properties. The
advantageous properties of thin films include the possibility of tailoring the
properties according to film thickness, small mass of the materials involved and
high surface to volume ratio. The synthesis of polymer nanocomposites is an
integral aspect of polymer nanotechnology. By inserting the nanometric inorganic
compounds, the properties of polymers can be improved and this has a lot of
applications depending upon the inorganic filler material present in the polymer.