Nanoparticles can be used as catalysts to speed up chemical reactions.
Some information about three nanoparticle catalysts is shown in the table below:
| Nanoparticle | Surface area to volume ratio | Length (nm\text{nm}nm) |
|---|---|---|
| P | 1.2 | 25 |
| Q | 6.0 | 10 |
| R | 3.8 | 35 |
a.[2]
Which nanoparticle will be the best catalyst? Give a reason for your answer.
b.[2]
Another nanoparticle S is cube-shaped. The sides are 3 nm3\text{ nm}3 nm in length.
Calculate the surface area of nanoparticle S.
c.[1]
The volume of nanoparticle S is 27 nm327\text{ nm}^327 nm3. Use your answer to part (b)(i) to calculate the surface area to volume ratio of nanoparticle S.
Use the equation:
$\text{ratio} = \text{surface area} \div \text{volume}$
d.[1]
Nanoparticles can be used to transport medication inside the body. Explain why they are not yet widely used for this purpose.