Due to the increased specific area-to-volume ratio (S/V), silica-based nanomaterials may have different and in many cases better chemical and physical characteristics than bulk materials. Many of these properties can be improved by surface modification and functionalization of nanomaterials, which can be done by altering the functionality and features of their surfaces, such as roughness, hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity, surface charge, biocompatibility, and reactivity. In this way, the functionality of nanomaterials can be adapted to the desired application. Due to their extremely fascinating and useful chemical and physical properties, nanomaterials exhibit an interest in many fields of applications such as sensor technology, biomedicine and biotechnology, environmental protection, photonics, and, the production of paints and varnishes, textiles, footwear, packaging, electronics, aerospace and automotive, etc. Although nanomaterials, on the one hand, offer technical and commercial opportunities and challenges, on the other hand, they can pose a risk to the environment and raise concerns about the health and safety of humans and animals, as regulation of nanomaterials is debated, and many questions related to the risks of exposure to nanomaterials are still unanswered.

            This presentation will introduce some recent examples from our Sensor Research Group demonstrating the use and challenges that may be tackled by functional nanomaterials, and some risks will be briefly mentioned.   

References:
[1] [1] N. Frančič, A. Košak, A. Lobnik. J. of Sol-Gel Sci. and Technol. 79 (2016) 3. [2] P. Nedeljko, M. Turel, A. Košak, A. Lobnik. J. of Sol-Gel Sci. and Technol. 79 (2016) 3, [3] A. Košak, M. Lakić, A. Lobnik. GB2526659 (B). London: Intellectual Property Office, (2017).