An introduction to nanoparticles and nanotechnology

Abstract

Nanoparticles (NPs; 1–100 nm in size) have a special place in nanoscience and nanotechnology, not only because of their particular properties resulting from their reduced dimensions, but also because they are promising building blocks for more complex nanostructures. This chapter gives an overview of NPs and their presence in our daily lives. It provides examples of the use of NPs in nanotechnology to obtain different end-products in different sectors of economic activity. In addition, a classification of NPs based on their dimensions, morphology and chemical composition is presented. NP uniformity and agglomerations, with a special focus on superparamagnetic NPs and their nanocomposites, are discussed.