NanoMaterials, Its Everyday Applications

New types of artificially produced nanoparticles are referred to as nanomaterials. Nanoparticles are understood to mean particles whose size is at least in one spatial dimension in the nanometer range (10 -9 meters).

On the one hand, nanoparticles are created unintentionally in natural and anthropogenic combustion processes and occur, e.g., B. in automotive and industrial exhaust gases. These nanoscale particles are also referred to as ultrafine particles.

On the other hand, nanoparticles are specifically manufactured, processed, and used in industry and research to create specific properties. A distinction can be made here between the new types of synthetic nanoparticles and nanoparticles produced in large quantities for some time.

An example of the latter nanoparticles is TiO2, which is used, among other things, as a UV filter in sunscreen creams.

Examples of novel synthetic nanoparticles include nanotubes, List fullerenes, and quantum dots. When measuring nanoscale (ultrafine) particles in the outside air, no distinction is made whether the collected particles were created intentionally or unintentionally.

However, it can be assumed that the unintentionally created particles represent most of the nanoscale particles overall.

What everyday products contain nanomaterials?

Scratch-resistant glasses, richer screen colors, black printer toner, dirt-repellent wall paints – nano technology has also found its way into our everyday life almost unnoticed.

Here are typical areas of application through which we come into direct contact with nanomaterials:

Textiles:

 socks that don’t stink and shirts that resist ketchup stains: nanomaterials are enticing “ingredients” to give textiles new and improved properties.

Nanos incorporated into the fibers or applied as coatings are intended to repel water and dirt and prevent unpleasant body odors; they also protect against UV light, improve abrasion resistance, and have an antistatic effect.

Silver, titanium dioxide, and silicon nanomaterials in textiles are frequently used.

Cosmetics:

Many sunscreen creams contain nanoscale titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. The particles reflect the sunlight like billions of tiny mirrors and, thanks to their transparency, prevent the “whitening effect” of creams with larger-scale particles—hydroxyapatite nanoparticles in toothpaste support saliva’s natural tooth repair mechanism.

And in creams, fullerenes (carbon nanospheres) are said to scavenge free radicals and thus prevent wrinkles and skin aging.

Food and packaging:

For a long time now, nano silicon dioxide (E551) has made table salt, spices, instant soups, and instant coffee trickle better. Nano titanium dioxide as a food additive (E 171) brightens chewing gum and candy.

Other substances serve as flow aids in ketchup, for example. However, nanoparticles are used much more frequently in packaging.

As a result, food should remain fresh and durable for longer; in the case of PET bottles, they increase the temperature resistance of the plastic.

The following are approved as packaging components in the EU: Titanium nitride, silicon dioxide (silica gel), and carbon black (industrial soot).

Household:

Nanoscale silver is one of the most widely used nanomaterials in consumer products due to its antimicrobial properties. In the home, you can find them in refrigerators, washing machines, and mattresses, among other things.

In addition to nano-silver, cleaning and care products can also contain nanoscale wax dispersions or other nano-objects such as aluminum oxide.

These should adhere to the surfaces and give them water- or dirt-repellent properties. Impregnation sprays with nano components have the same principle of action.