How does size affect the mechanical properties of nanomaterials?
At the nanoscale, materials exhibit unique mechanical properties due to size effects. For instance, the surface-to-volume ratio becomes significantly larger, which can lead to increased surface energy and altered mechanical behavior. Additionally, the confinement of dislocations and other defects can result in enhanced strength and hardness. This phenomenon, known as the Hall-Petch effect, often leads to increased yield strength in nanomaterials compared to their bulk counterparts.
