A nanocluster is a grouping of a number of nanoparticles. Nanoclusters have at least one dimension between 1 and 10 nanometers and a narrow size distribution. The size of nanoclusters ranges from sub-nanometer to 10 nm in the diameter. In nanotechnology, a particle is defined as a small object that behaves as a whole unit with respect to its transport and properties. Nanoclusters have certain specific properties. Nanoclusters constitute an intermediate state of matter between molecules and solids. Nanoclusters are of technological interest in numerous areas of applied science (e.g. materials science, catalysis, (opto)electronics). They are fine aggregates of atoms or molecules. Nanoclusters consisting of up to a couple of hundred atoms, but larger aggregates containing 1000 or more atoms are called Nanoparticles. They are bound by forces, which may be metallic, covalent, ionic, or hydrogen bonds or Van der waals forces.
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Magic number
It is the number of atoms in the clusters of critical size with the higher stability. Different types of clusters can be distinguished by the nature of forces between the atoms. Clusters containing the transition metal atom have unique chemical, electronic magnetic properties. Nanoclusters can be produced from atomic or molecular constituent or from the bulk materials. Atomic clusters are formed by nucleation of atoms or molecules respectively. Clusters of the same type may be obtained by top down process also.
Uses of Nanoclusters
Nanoclusters have potential applications in microelectronics, magnetic storage, optical data storage, spintronics devices, telecommunications, sensors, transducers, biological markers, switches, electroluminescent displays, chemical reactors, catalysts, and other areas. Nanoparticles are important scientific tools that have been and are being explored in various biotechnological, pharmacological and pure technological uses.
Properties Of Nanoclusters
Nanoclusters are of great scientific interest as they are, in effect, a bridge between bulk materials and atomic or molecular structures. A bulk material should have constant physical properties regardless of its size, but at the nano-scale size-dependent properties are often observed.