Why are Surface Atoms Important in Nanotechnology?
In nanotechnology, the ratio of surface atoms to bulk atoms increases significantly as the size of the material decreases. This elevated surface-to-volume ratio means that the properties of nanomaterials are largely governed by their surface atoms. For instance, nanoparticles exhibit distinct optical, mechanical, and chemical properties that are not observed in bulk materials. Understanding and manipulating surface atoms can lead to the development of materials with enhanced or novel functionalities.
