Meeting the demand for a readily understandable introduction to nanomaterials and nanotechnology, this textbook specifically addresses the needs of students - and engineers - who need to get the gist of nanoscale phenomena in materials without having to delve too deeply into the physical and chemical details. The book begins with an overview of the consequences of small particle size, such as the growing importance of surface effects, and covers successful, field-tested synthesis techniques of nanomaterials. The largest part of the book is devoted to the particular magnetic, optical, electrical and mechanical properties of materials at the nanoscale, leading on to emerging and already commercialized applications, such as nanofluids in magnetic resonance imaging, high-performance nanocomposites and carbon nanotube-based electronics. Based on the author's experience in teaching nanomaterials courses and adapted, in style and level, for students with only limited background knowledge, the textbook includes further reading, as well as information boxes that can be skipped upon first reading.

Meeting the demand for a readily understandable introduction to nanomaterials and nanotechnology, this textbook specifically addresses the needs of students - and engineers - who need to get the gist of nanoscale phenomena in materials without having to delve too deeply into the physical and chemical details.The book begins with an overview of the consequences of small particle size, such as the growing importance of surface effects, and covers successful, field-tested synthesis techniques of nanomaterials. The largest part of the book is devoted to the particular magnetic, optical, electrical and mechanical properties of materials at the nanoscale, leading on to emerging and already commercialized applications, such as nanofluids in magnetic resonance imaging, high-performance nanocomposites and carbon nanotube-based electronics.Based on the author's experience in teaching nanomaterials courses and adapted, in style and level, for students with only limited background knowledge, the textbook includes further reading, as well as information boxes that can be skipped upon first reading.

PREFACEINTRODUCTIONNANOPARTICLES - NANOCOMPOSITESNanoparticlesElementary Consequences of Small Particle SizeSURFACES IN NANOMATERIALSGeneral ConsiderationsSurface EnergyVapor Pressure of Small ParticlesHypothetical Nanomotors Driven by Surface EnergyGAS-PHASE SYNTHESIS OF NANOPARTICLESFundamental ConsiderationsInert-Gas Condensation ProcessPhysical and Chemical Vapor Synthesis ProcessesLaser-Ablation ProcessPlasma ProcessesFlame ProcessesSynthesis of Coated ParticlesONE- AND TWO-DIMENSIONAL NANOPARTICLESBasic ConsiderationsVibrations of Nanorods and Nanotubes - Scaling Law for VibrationsNanostructures Related to Compounds with Layered StructuresNANOFLUIDSBackgroundNanofluids for Improved Heat TransferFerrofluidsTHERMODYNAMICS OF NANOPARTICLES AND PHASE TRANSFORMATIONSBasic ConsiderationsInfluence of the Particle Size on Thermodynamic Properties and Phase TransformationsThermal Instabilities Connected to Phase TransformationsHeat Capacity of NanoparticlesMAGNETIC NANOMATERIALS, SUPERPARAMAGNETISMMagnetic MaterialsFundamentals of SuperparamagnetismSusceptibility of Superparamagnetic MaterialsSuperparamagnetic Particles in the Mößbauer SpectrumApplications of Superparamagnetic MaterialsExchange-Coupled Magnetic NanoparticlesOPTICAL PROPERTIESGeneral RemarksAdjustment of the Index of Refraction and Visually Transparent UV AbsorbersSize-Dependent Optical Properties - Quantum ConfinementSemiconducting Particles in the Quantum-Confinement RangeMetallic Nanoparticles - Plasmon ResonanceLuminescent NanocompositesSelection of a Lumophore or AbsorberElectroluminescencePhotochromic and Electrochromic MaterialsMagneto-Optic ApplicationsELECTRICAL PROPERTIESFundamentals of Electric Conductivity; Diffusive versus Ballistic ConductivityCarbon NanotubesOther One-Dimensional Electrical ConductorsElectrical Conductivity of NanocompositesMECHANICAL PROPERTIESGeneral ConsiderationsMechanical Properties of Bulk Nanocrystalline MaterialsDeformation Mechanisms of Nanocrystalline MaterialsSuperplasticityFilled Polymer CompositesCHARACTERIZATION OF NANOMATERIALSSpecific Surface AreaAnalysis of the Crystalline StructureElectron MicroscopyINDEX