How Does Temperature Affect Volume Expansion in Nanomaterials?
Temperature is a primary factor that influences volume expansion. When nanomaterials are heated, their atoms gain kinetic energy, causing them to move apart and increase the material's volume. This phenomenon is known as thermal expansion. However, unlike bulk materials, nanomaterials exhibit unique thermal expansion behavior due to their high surface area-to-volume ratio and quantum effects. For example, some nanoparticles might exhibit negative thermal expansion, where they contract upon heating, due to the dominance of surface tension forces.
