Several techniques are used to achieve tunable properties in nanomaterials:
Surface Modification: By altering the surface chemistry of nanoparticles, their interaction with the environment can be controlled. This is particularly useful in applications like biosensors and catalysts. Doping: Introducing foreign atoms into the crystal structure of nanomaterials can change their electrical and optical properties. This technique is widely used in semiconductor industry. Quantum Dots: These are semiconductor nanoparticles that exhibit size-dependent optical and electronic properties. By adjusting the size of quantum dots, their emission wavelengths can be tuned, making them useful in biomedical imaging and displays. External Fields: Applying magnetic or electric fields can change the properties of certain nanomaterials. For example, ferroelectric and ferromagnetic materials can have their polarization or magnetization states altered.
