Nano Materials & Applications, authored by M.N. Borah, S. Chaliha, A. Puzari, S. Dutta and K. Saikia, is a comprehensive and student-friendly textbook designed in strict accordance with the CBCS curriculum for B.Sc. Physics Honours (DSE), 5th & 6th Semester of Indian universities. Published by Mahaveer Publications, this book provides a clear, conceptual, and application-oriented understanding of nanoscience and nanotechnology.

This textbook introduces students to the fundamental principles, synthesis methods, properties, characterization techniques, and diverse applications of nanomaterials. The content has been developed with a balanced blend of theoretical depth and practical relevance, making it ideal for undergraduate physics learners.

Chapter 1: Nanoscale Systems (Pages 1–12)

This chapter introduces the fundamental ideas of nanoscience and the physics governing materials at the nanoscale. Students learn how matter behaves differently when dimensions shrink to billionths of a meter.

1.1 Length Scales in Physics

Understanding microscopic, mesoscopic, and nanoscopic length scales; comparison between bulk and nanoscale dimensions.

1.2 Nano Structures

Basic forms of nanostructures: nanoparticles, quantum dots, nanowires, thin films, nanotubes, nanoclusters etc.

1.3 Band Structure and their Classification

Energy bands, bandgap changes with size, quantum confinement impact on semiconductors.

1.4 Density of States of Materials at Nanoscale

How DOS changes in 0D, 1D, 2D and 3D systems; discrete states vs continuum.

1.5 Size Effects in Nano Systems

Optical, electrical, thermal and magnetic property variations due to size reduction.

1.6 Quantum Confinement

Origin of confinement, potential wells, particle-in-a-box model, quantum dots.

1.7 Application of Schrödinger Equation

Solving basic nanoscale problems; understanding wavefunctions and energy quantization.

1.8 Quantum Confinement of Carriers in Nanostructures

Carrier mobility, exciton formation, charge transport under confinement.

Chapter 2: Synthesis of Nanostructure Materials (Pages 47–88)

This chapter explains both Top-down and Bottom-up approaches used to fabricate nanoscale materials.

2.1 Top-Down and Bottom-Up Approach

Mechanical reduction vs chemical assembly; relative advantages and limitations.

2.2 Mechanical & Physical Methods

• 2.2.1 Ball Milling – Mechanical alloying and grain size reduction.

• 2.2.2 Photolithography – Pattern formation in micro- and nanoscale devices.

• 2.2.3 Gas Phase Condensation – Generation of nanoparticles via supersaturation.

• 2.2.4–2.2.14 PVD & CVD techniques – Vacuum deposition, thermal evaporation, e-beam evaporation, sputtering, pulsed laser deposition, spray pyrolysis, electro-deposition, sol-gel, chemical vapour deposition, hydrothermal method, colloidal method.

• 2.3.14 MBE Growth of Quantum Dots – Monolayer-controlled epitaxial growth.

This segment provides the theoretical principles and practical relevance of each technique.

Chapter 3: Characterization Techniques (Pages 89–112)

Understanding the structure and properties of nanomaterials requires advanced characterization tools.

3.1 X-ray Diffraction (XRD)

Crystal structures, Bragg’s law, grain size estimation (Scherrer formula).

3.2 Optical Microscopy

Basic imaging and surface studies.

3.3 Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)

Surface morphology at nanoscale; electron-matter interactions.

3.4 Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM)

High-resolution imaging of lattice structures and defects.

3.5 Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)

Surface topology, force interaction imaging.

3.6 Scanning Tunnelling Microscopy (STM)

Atomic-level imaging based on quantum tunneling.

Chapter 4: Optical Properties of Nanomaterials (Pages 113–126)

This chapter focuses on optical behaviour unique to nanosystems.

4.1 Coulomb Interaction in Nanostructures

Electron–hole interactions; role of Coulomb forces.

4.2 Dielectric Constant in Nanostructures

Size-dependent dielectric changes.

4.3 Charging of Nanostructures

Coulomb blockade and charging energies.

4.4 Quasi-Particles and Excitons

Formation and significance in semiconductors.

4.5 Excitons in Direct and Indirect Bandgap Nanocrystals

Difference in recombination and optical activity.

4.6 Radiative Processes

Absorption, emission, luminescence; photoluminescent behaviour of nanoparticles.

4.7 Optical Properties of Nanostructures & Heterostructures

Band alignment, heterojunction effects, quantum well transitions.

Chapter 5: Electron Transport (Pages 127–134)

5.1 Carrier Transport in Nanostructures

Electron mobility changes due to quantum confinement.

5.2 Coulomb Blockade Effect

Single-electron charging; tunneling junctions.

5.3 Tunneling Conductivity

Quantum tunneling and its applications in nanoscale devices.

5.4 Hopping Conductivity

Transport in disordered or doped nanomaterials.

5.5 Thermionic Emission

Electron emission over barriers in nanostructures.

5.6 Surface Defects and Deep-Level Defects

Impact on electrical performance and stability.

Chapter 6: Applications of Nanomaterials (Pages 135–162)

6.1 Applications of Nanoparticles

Catalysis, drug delivery, coatings, energy storage.

6.2 Applications of Quantum Dots

Optoelectronics, displays, sensors, biological tagging.

6.3 Nanowires & Thin Films for Photovoltaics

Solar cell efficiency enhancement using nanostructures.

6.4 Single Electron Devices

Operation principles and future significance.

6.5 CNT-Based Nanomaterial Devices

Electronics, composites, sensors.

6.6 Quantum Dot Heterostructure Devices

High-efficiency LEDs, lasers, photodetectors.

6.7 Nanoparticles for Optical Switching

All-optical communication devices.

6.8 MEMS and NEMS

Micro and nano electromechanical systems – sensors, actuators, biomedical devices.

6.9 Magnetic Quantum Wells, Dots & Data Storage

Spintronics, high-density storage, magnetic memory.