What is "nanochemistry"

n. (context chemistry English) The synthesis, analysis and characterization of chemical compounds at the nanoscale

Nanochemistry or Nanotechnology are related with the production and the reactions of nanoparticles, nanostructures and their compounds. It is concerned with the unique properties associated with assemblies of atoms or molecules on a scale between that of the individual building blocks and the bulk material (from 1 to 1000 nm). At this level, quantum effects can be significant, and also new ways of carrying out chemical reactions become possible.

This science use methodologies from the synthetic chemistry and the materials chemistry to obtain nanomaterials with specific sizes, shapes, surface properties, defects, self-assembly properties, designed to accomplish specific functions and uses. Nanomaterials can be created from virtually any material, such as metals, semiconductors and polymers, both in their amorphous and crystalline forms.

Nanochemical methods can be used to create carbon nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes (CNT), graphene and fullerenes which have gained attention in recent years due to their remarkable mechanical and electrical properties.