Context
IIT-M Team Develops Mineral Nanoparticles Using Water Droplets.
About Mineral Nanoparticles:
- The study revealed that microdroplets could decompose minerals like silica (SiO2) and alumina (Al2O3) into nanoparticles .
- Accomplished by applying high voltage to mineral microparticles suspended in water, breaking them into nanoparticles within 10 milliseconds.
- The transformation of mineral microparticles into nanoparticles is likely due to:
- Protons squeezing into crystal layers
- Electric fields produced by charged surfaces
- Surface tension of the microdroplets
- Potential Applications:
- Agriculture: transforming unproductive soil into fertile land by providing silica nanoparticles.
- Plants absorb silica nanoparticles, which can help them grow taller.
- Study of life’s origins, as microdroplets could mimic proto-cells and potentially play a role in early biochemical reactions.
- Agriculture: transforming unproductive soil into fertile land by providing silica nanoparticles.
About Properties of Water Microdroplets
- Size: Are much smaller than regular raindrops
- Reactivity: Due to their densely packed structure, they are more chemically reactive than bulk water.
- Reaction Speed: Can conduct chemical reactions up to a million times faster than in bulk water.
- Charge Carriers: highly effective at carrying electric charge.
Source:
The Hindu
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
1. Other than those made by humans, nanoparticles do not exist in nature.
2. Nanoparticles of some metallic oxides are used in the manufacture of some cosmetics.
3. Nanoparticles of some commercial products which enter the environment are unsafe for humans.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2022 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 2
(d) 2 and 3
Answer: (d)
