Nanomaterials synthesis characterisation and applications to dye sensitized solar cells and immunosensors

Abstract

Nanotechnology is the study and creation of objects or surfaces whose unique functions are a direct result of their nanoscale (generally between 1 to 100 nanometers in atleast one dimension) dimensions and/or organization. These unique properties may be mechanical, electrical or optical and are not seen in the bulk materials. The aim of nanotechnology is to make use of these properties and efficiently manufacture and generate larger structures with fundamentally new molecular organization. Though Nanoparticles (NPs) have existed naturally for millions of years, the notion of nanotechnology was first introduced in 1959 by Richard Feynman in his talk There s Plenty of Room at the bottom where he described the potential to develop a system of manipulating individual atoms and molecules. Since then the role of Nanomaterials has continuously increased, and the growth of this field is accelerating. The reason that makes this field so interesting in not just the miniaturization of the particles but it s because some materials properties are affected by the laws of atomic physics. As a result of these enhanced properties the Nanomaterials have been utilized in a wide range of applications. In any modern scientific approach one should design and synthesis materials with a high level of control. The ultimate material design is when one can plan the structure of the produced materials atom by atom with every defect; bond length etc. and the synthesis should follow precisely this design. In general the characteristics such as size, morphology and the surface area are decided by the method employed to prepare the material. Therefore the synthesis method is highly significant step in determining the characteristics and properties of the nanomaterial product. Nanofabrication methods broadly fall into two groups: top down and bottom up methods. ..