This book discusses advances in functional thin films for sensors and novel concepts for future breakthroughs. The focus is on guidelines and design rules for sensor systems, interaction between functional thin films and other sensor subsystems, fundamentals behind the intrinsic functionality in sensing thin films and nanostructures, state-of-the-art technologies used to develop sensors today and concrete examples of sensor designs.

Nanostructured Thin Films: Fundamentals and Applications presents an overview of the synthesis and characterization of thin films and their nanocomposites. Both vapor phase and liquid phase approaches are discussed, along with the methods that are sufficiently attractive for large-scale production. Examples of applications in clean energy, sensors, biomedicine, anticorrosion and surface modification are also included. As the applications of thin films in nanomedicine, cell phones, solar cell-powered devices, and in the protection of structural materials continues to grow, this book presents an important research reference for anyone seeking an informed overview on their structure and applications. - Shows how thin films are being used to create more efficient devices in the fields of medicine and energy harvesting - Discusses how to alter the design of nanostructured thin films by vapor phase and liquid phase methods - Explores how modifying the structure of thin films for specific applications enhances their performance

This book discusses advances in functional thin films for sensors and novel concepts for future breakthroughs. The focus is on guidelines and design rules for sensor systems, interaction between functional thin films and other sensor subsystems, fundamentals behind the intrinsic functionality in sensing thin films and nanostructures, state-of-the-art technologies used to develop sensors today and concrete examples of sensor designs.

Due to their unique size-dependent physicochemical properties, nanostructured thin films are used in a wide range of applications from smart coating and drug delivery to electrocatalysis and highly-sensitive sensors. Depending on the targeted application and the deposition technique, these materials have been designed and developed by tuning their atomic-molecular 2D- and/or 3D-aggregation, thickness, crystallinity, and porosity, having effects on their optical, mechanical, catalytic, and conductive properties. Several open questions remain about the impact of nanomaterial production and use on environment and health. Many efforts are currently being made not only to prevent nanotechnologies and nanomaterials from contributing to environmental pollution but also to design nanomaterials to support, control, and protect the environment. This Special Issue aims to cover the recent advances in designing nanostructured films focusing on environmental issues related to their fabrication processes (e.g., low power and low cost technologies, the use of environmentally friendly solvents), their precursors (e.g., waste-recycled, bio-based, biodegradable, and natural materials), their applications (e.g., controlled release of chemicals, mimicking of natural processes, and clean energy conversion and storage), and their use in monitoring environment pollution (e.g., sensors optically- or electrically-sensitive to pollutants)

This is the first book about functional nanostructures. Nanocrystalline materials exhibit outstanding properties and represent a new class of structural materials having a wide range of applications. In particular, there is considerable interest in developing nanocrystalline materials to be used as functional materials in aerospace applications, automotive industry, wear applications, etc. Future progress in these high technological applications of nanocrystalline materials depends on development of new methods of their fabrication and understanding of the underlying nano-scale and interface effects causing their unique mechanical properties.

Fundamentals of Nanoparticles: Classifications, Synthesis Methods, Properties and Characterization explores the nanoparticles and architecture of nanostructured materials being used today in a comprehensive, detailed manner. This book focuses primarily on the characterization, properties and synthesis of nanoscale materials, and is divided into three major parts. This is a valuable reference for materials scientists, and chemical and mechanical engineers working in R&D and academia, who want to learn more about how nanoparticles and nanomaterials are characterized and engineered. Part one covers nanoparticles formation, self-assembly in the architecture nanostructures, types and classifications of nanoparticles, and signature physical and chemical properties, toxicity and regulations. Part two presents different ways to form nanometer particles, including bottom-up and top-down approaches, the classical and non-classical theories of nanoparticles formation and self-assembly, surface functionalization and other surface treatments to allow practical use. Part three covers characterization of nanoparticles and nanostructured materials, including the determination of size and shape, in addition to atomic and electronic structures and other important properties. - Includes new physical and chemical techniques for the synthesis of nanoparticles and architecture nanostructures - Features an in-depth treatment of nanoparticles and nanostructures, including their characterization and chemical and physical properties - Explores the unusual properties of materials that are developed by modifying their shape and composition and by manipulating the arrangement of atoms and molecules - Explains important techniques for the synthesis, fabrication and the characterization of complex nano-architectures

Nanotechnology-based Sensors for Efficient Detection of Environmental Pollution discusses the use of nanotechnology to generate sensors capable of performing efficient detection of different types of environmental pollutants. Nanomaterial's characteristics such as large surface area, good reactivity, and possibility to suffer chemical surface modification to recognize different types of molecules are useful, especially to perform the detection of specific environmental pollutants. Innovative and efficient ways to detect environmental pollution are urgently needed for sustainability and the nanotechnology field has an enormous potential to offer strategic solutions. Nanotechnology-based sensors offer an efficient way of detecting the presence of contaminants and determine its structure and chemical nature is by applying nanotechnology and/or nanobiotechnology. This book will contain 5 parts: the first one will be dedicated to exploring environmental pollution as a threat to life on Earth and main contaminants (inorganic, organic or pathogens) and the risk they represent to living beings. The second part will be dedicated to nanotechnology allowing pollutants' detection covering a brief history of nanotechnology-based sensors, different types of nanotechnology-based sensor (optical, electrochemical, and magnetic), nanotechnology-based sensors' design and fabrication and nano biosensors. The third part will be focused on important specific pollutants (pesticides, heavy metal, dyes, toxic gas, pharmaceutical waste, petroleum hydrocarbons, and pathogenic microbes) and their detection by nanotechnology-based sensors. The fourth part will be dedicated to important nanomaterials in nanotechnology-based sensors, exploring carbon-based and non-carbon-based material in nanoscale (graphene, carbon nanotubes, quantum dots, magnetic nanomaterials, non-magnetic nanoparticles) and also point-of-care sensors and functionalization to generate optimized nanotechnology-based sensors to pollutants' detection. The fifth and last part of Nanotechnology-based Sensors for Efficient Detection of Environmental Pollution will address relevant practical aspects related to nanotechnology-based sensors, covering advantages and challenges, safety, economic and commercial aspects related to the field and also sustainability, highlighting green nanomaterials on nanotechnology-based sensors. - Provides a comprehensive, multidisciplinary review of nanotechnology-based sensors - Supplies readers extensive knowledge on detecting harmful pollutants in different environments using nanotechnology-based sensors - Presents chapters dedicated to the detection of pollutants different from toxic gas and pharmaceutical products, such as pesticides, heavy metals, dyes, pathogens, and petroleum hydrocarbons - Introduces information on pollutants and the threats they represent to living beings, nanotechnology-based sensor's design and fabrication, a brief history of the field, and practical issues related to the field, such as economics, safety, and challenges