How Does Emergent Behavior Manifest in Nanomaterials?
In nanomaterials, emergent behavior can manifest in various ways:
Quantum Confinement: When the size of the material is reduced to the nanoscale, electrons are confined in a smaller volume, leading to discrete energy levels and quantum dots. Surface Area to Volume Ratio: At the nanoscale, the surface area to volume ratio increases dramatically. This affects catalysis and enhances the reactivity of nanoparticles. Collective Behavior: Individual nanoparticles can exhibit collective behavior resulting in phenomena such as plasmonics and magnetic superlattices.
