6.1 ClassifiCation of nanomaterials
To properly understand and appreciate the diversity of nanomaterials, some form of categorization is required. Currently, the most
typical way of classifying nanomaterials is to identify them according to their dimensions. As shown in Figure 6.1, nanomaterials can
be classified as (1) zero-dimensional (0-D), (2) one-dimensional
(1-D), (3) two-dimensional (2-D), and (4) three-dimensional (3D). This classification is based on the number of dimensions, which
are not confined to the nanoscale range (<100 nm). As we will see
in what follows, as these categories of nanomaterials move from
the 0-D to the 3-D configuration, categorization becomes more and
more difficult to define as well.
Beginning with the most clearly defined category, zero-dimensional
nanomaterials are materials wherein all the dimensions are measured within the nanoscale (no dimensions, or 0-D, are larger than
100 nm). The most common representation of zero-dimensional
nanomaterials are nanoparticles (see Figure 6.2). These nanoparticles can:
■ Be amorphous or crystalline
■ Be single crystalline or polycrystalline
■ Be composed of single or multichemical elements
■ Exhibit various shapes and forms
■ Exist individually or incorporated in a matrix
■ Be metallic, ceramic, or polymeric
177
Nanomaterials: Classes and Fundamentals
Chapter 6
Nanomaterials, Nanotechnologies and Design
Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights of reproduction in any form reserved.
To properly understand and appreciate the diversity of nanomaterials, some form of categorization is required. Currently, the most
typical way of classifying nanomaterials is to identify them according to their dimensions. As shown in Figure 6.1, nanomaterials can
be classified as (1) zero-dimensional (0-D), (2) one-dimensional
(1-D), (3) two-dimensional (2-D), and (4) three-dimensional (3D). This classification is based on the number of dimensions, which
are not confined to the nanoscale range (<100 nm). As we will see
in what follows, as these categories of nanomaterials move from
the 0-D to the 3-D configuration, categorization becomes more and
more difficult to define as well.
Beginning with the most clearly defined category, zero-dimensional
nanomaterials are materials wherein all the dimensions are measured within the nanoscale (no dimensions, or 0-D, are larger than
100 nm). The most common representation of zero-dimensional
nanomaterials are nanoparticles (see Figure 6.2). These nanoparticles can:
■ Be amorphous or crystalline
■ Be single crystalline or polycrystalline
■ Be composed of single or multichemical elements
■ Exhibit various shapes and forms
■ Exist individually or incorporated in a matrix
■ Be metallic, ceramic, or polymeric
177
Nanomaterials: Classes and Fundamentals
Chapter 6
Nanomaterials, Nanotechnologies and Design
Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights of reproduction in any form reserved.