Nanorod

From ArticleWorld


In the futuristic field of nanotechnology, nanorods of dimensions ranging from 1-100nm are among the top developmental achievements. Nanorods can be synthesized from either metallic or semiconducting materials. The standard aspect ratios (length to width) of nanorods are between 3 and 5.

Synthesis of nanorods

Direct chemical synthesis and a combination of ligands are all that are required for production and shape control of the nanorods. Ligands also bond to different facets of the nanorod with varying strengths. This is how different faces of nanorods can be made to grow at different rates, thereby producing an elongated object of a certain desired shape.

Applications of nanorods

Nanorods have wide application.

  • Prominent among them is in the use in display technologies. By changing the orientation of the nanorods with respect to an applied electric field, the reflectivity of the rods can be altered, resulting in superior displays. Picture quality can be improved radically. Each picture element, known as pixel, is composed of a sharp-tipped device of the scale of a few nanometres. Such TVs, known as field emission TVs, are brighter as the pixels can glow better in every colour they take up as they pass through a small potential gap at high currents, emitting electrons at the same time.
  • Nanorod-based flexible, thin-film computers can revolutionise the retail industry, enabling customers to checkout easily without the hassles of having to pay cash.