The presence of defects can impact various properties of nanomaterials in multiple ways:
- Electrical Properties: Defects can introduce localized states in the bandgap, which can affect the bandgap and hence the electrical conductivity. - Mechanical Properties: Certain defects like dislocations can act as stress concentrators, affecting the material's hardness and elasticity. - Thermal Properties: Defects can scatter phonons, thus reducing the thermal conductivity of the material. - Optical Properties: Defects can trap or scatter light, affecting the material’s optical absorption and emission properties.
