Chennai: Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) have demonstrated a novel method to produce nanoparticles using common minerals and water microdroplets.
This pioneering research, published in the esteemed journal 'Science,' marks a significant milestone for IIT Madras as its first publication in the prestigious journal.
The study reveals that atmospheric water droplets, including those found in clouds and fog, can acquire charge through ionic species and contact electrification.
When these charged microdroplets interact with minerals, they cause their disintegration, forming nascent surfaces where catalytic processes occur, potentially influencing the origin of life.
Led by Padma Shri awardee Prof. Thalappil Pradeep and PhD graduate Ms. B. K. Spoorthi, the research team highlights the implications of their findings for the chemical and biological evolution of the Earth.
They propose that 'microdroplet showers' laden with nanoparticles and molecules could play a crucial role in these processes.
The computational aspects of the research were overseen by Ms. Koyendrila Debnath, under the guidance of Prof. Umesh V. Waghmare of Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bengaluru.
Their findings, published in the May 31, 2024, issue of Science, present a new perspective on the role of microdroplets in chemical reactions and the transformation of rocks into natural nanoparticles.
Prof. Pradeep emphasizes the potential of this discovery in soil formation, envisioning a method to accelerate natural weathering processes from centuries to moments, thereby aiding in greening deserts. Ms. Spoorthi underscores the broader applications of the technique in nanotechnology and materials science, offering sustainable and efficient nanoparticle production with industrial relevance.
The experiment demonstrated that even the hardest minerals, such as river sand and alumina, can spontaneously break into nanoparticles within milliseconds when incorporated into charged water droplets.
Prof. Waghmare underscores the complexity of the phenomenon and its potential for stimulating fundamental scientific studies. The rapid weathering process observed could significantly impact soil formation, with nanoparticles playing a crucial role in agricultural productivity.