How do Surface-to-Volume Ratios Affect Thermal Properties?
One of the most significant factors affecting the thermal properties of nanomaterials is the increased surface-to-volume ratio. At the nanoscale, a larger proportion of atoms are on the surface, which can lead to enhanced surface energy and altered thermal conductivity. For instance, nanoparticles can exhibit much lower thermal conductivity compared to their bulk materials because phonon scattering is more frequent at the surface.