How Do Intermolecular Forces Influence Nanomaterials?
Another important aspect of small scale phenomena is the role of intermolecular forces. At the nanoscale, van der Waals forces, hydrogen bonding, and electrostatic interactions become significant. These forces can dominate over gravitational forces, which are negligible at such small scales. For example, the self-assembly of nanoparticles into organized structures is driven by these intermolecular forces. Understanding and controlling these forces is essential for the design of nanocomposites and nanoelectronics.