How Do Interatomic Forces Affect Nanoscale Materials?
The properties of materials at the nanoscale are heavily influenced by interatomic forces. These forces determine the mechanical, electrical, thermal, and optical properties of nanomaterials. For example, the strength and flexibility of carbon nanotubes arise from the strong covalent bonds between carbon atoms. Similarly, the stability of colloidal nanoparticles is often governed by van der Waals forces and electrostatic interactions.
