Nanomaterials & Surface Area
Explore how surface area to volume ratio changes at the nanoscale
Divide into smaller cubes
1 × 1 × 1BULKNANO-LIKE
Number of Cubes:1
Edge Length per Cube:10.00 units
Total Volume
1000 units³
Total Surface Area
600 units²
SA:V Ratio
0.60 units⁻¹
*Simplified 2D representation of dividing a 3D volume
HKDSE Tip
- Nanoscale reactivity:As materials reach the nanoscale (1-100 nm), their surface area to volume ratio increases dramatically, making them highly reactive.
- SA:V ratio:The surface area to volume ratio is inversely proportional to particle size.
- Toxicity & inhalation:Because nanoparticles are so small, they can easily cross biological membranes, be inhaled into the lungs (like asbestos), or enter the bloodstream, potentially causing cellular damage.
- Environmental impact:Nano-silver () from antimicrobial socks can wash into wastewater, potentially killing beneficial bacteria in water treatment plants or disrupting aquatic ecosystems.
Common Nanomaterials
C60
Buckminsterfullerene
Drug delivery
Its hollow spherical cage can trap drug molecules inside and carry them to target cells in the body.
Ag
Nano-silver
Antimicrobial socks/dressings
Massive surface area drastically increases the release of ions, which kill bacteria.
TiO2
Nano-titanium dioxide
Transparent sunscreens
Particles are smaller than the wavelength of visible light, so they don't scatter it, but they still absorb UV.