How Does Nanoconfinement Affect Material Properties?
When materials are confined to nanometer dimensions, several properties can be affected:
Mechanical properties: Nanoconfined materials may exhibit increased strength and hardness due to the reduction in defect density. Thermal properties: Heat conduction can be significantly altered, leading to either enhanced or reduced thermal conductivity depending on the material and the nature of confinement. Electrical properties: Quantum confinement can lead to changes in electrical conductivity and bandgap energy, which are crucial for applications in nanoelectronics and optoelectronics. Chemical reactivity: The increased surface area can enhance chemical reactivity, making nanoconfined materials useful in catalysis and drug delivery.
