Explore topic-wise InterviewSolutions in .

This section includes InterviewSolutions, each offering curated multiple-choice questions to sharpen your knowledge and support exam preparation. Choose a topic below to get started.

1.

Which nanomaterial is used in sunscreen lotion? Write its use.

Answer»

Zinc oxide (ZnO) and Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles are used sunscreen lotions. The chemicals protect the skin against harmful u.v (ultraviolet) rays by absorbing or reflecting the light and prevent the skin from damage.

2.

How will you illustrate the use of safer solvent and auxiliaries?

Answer»
  • Use of safer solvents and auxiliaries – is a principle of green chemistry it states that safer solvent like water, supercritical CO2 should be used in place of volatile halogenated organic solvents, like CH2CI​​​​​​​2, CHCI3, CCI4 for chemical synthesis and other purposes.
  • Solvents dissolve solutes and form solutions, they facilitate many reactions. Water is a safer benign solvent while solvents like dichloromethane (CH2CI2), chloroform (CHCI3) etc are hazardous.
  • Use of toxic solvents affect millions of workers every year and have implications for consumers and the environment. A large amount of waste is created by their use and they also have huge environmental and health impacts.
  • Finding safer solvents or designing processes which are solvent free is the best way to improve the process and the product.
3.

Define catalyst. Give two examples.

Answer»

A substance which speeds up the rate of a reaction without itself being changed chemically in the reaction is called a catalyst. It helps to increase selectivity, minimise waste and reduce reaction time and energy demands. 

For example : Hydrogenation of oil the catalyst used are platinum or palladium, Raney nickel.

4.

How are nanomaterials classified ?

Answer»

Nanoparticles, nanowires and nanotubes can be classified according to dimensions. The nano structured materials may be large organic molecules, inorganic cluster compounds and metallic or semiconductor particles.

5.

What are zero, one and two dimensional nanoscale system ?

Answer»

Zero-Dimensional Nanostructures : A zero-dimensional structure is one in which all three dimensions are in the nanoscale.

For example : Nanoparticles.

One-Dimensional Nanostructures : A one-dimensional nanostructure is one in which two dimensions are in the nanoscale. 

For example : Nanowires and Nano rods.

Two-Dimensional Nanostructures : A two-dimensional nanostructure is one in which one dimension is in the nanoscale. 

For example : Thin films.

6.

State the different characteristic features of nanoparticles.

Answer»

The nanoparticle science is special as at such a small scale, different laws dominate than what we experience in our everyday life.

The characteristic features like optical properties, catalytical activities, have huge surface area and good thermal properties mechanical strength electrical conductivity vary than that of bulk material.

(1) Colour : At nanoscale this optical property behaves differently. Elemental gold has nice shining yellow colour, but nanoparticles of gold show red colour.

(2) Catalytic activity : Since the surface area of nanoparticles is large they show increased catalytic activity. They are usually heterogenous catalyst that means catalysts are solid form and the reactions occur on the surface of the catalyst. These catalysts can be easily separated and recycled. 

For example : Pd, Pt metal nanoparticles used in hydrogenation reactions. Ti02, ZnO are used in photocatalysis. Gold in bulk is unreactive but the nanoparticles of gold behave as very good catalyst for organic reactions.

(3) Surface area : High surface-to-volume ratio is a very important characteristic of nanoparticles. Bulk material if subdivided into a group of individual nanoparticles, the total volume remains the same, but the collective surface area is largely increased. With large surface area for the same volume, these small particles react much faster because more surface area provides more number of reaction sites, leading to more chemical reactivity. Explanation of increase in surface area with decrease in particle size.

(4) Thermal strength : The melting point of nanomaterial changes drastically with size.

For example : Sodium clusters (Nan) of 1000 atoms melts at 288 K, 10000 atoms melt at 303 K and bulk sodium melts at 371 K.

(5) Mechanical strength : The mechanic al strength of nano clusters increase the hardness of the metal.

For example : nanoparticles of copper and palladium clusters with diameter in the range of 5-7 nm have hardness up to 500 r. greater than the bulk metal.

(6) Electrical conductivity : At nanoscale level the electrical conductivity changes. 

For example : Carbon nanotubes behave as a conductor or semiconductor whereas carbon is nonconductor.

7.

The concept of green chemistry was coined by a. Born Haber b. Nario Taniguchi c. Richard Feynman d. Paul T. Anastas

Answer»

Correct answer is

(d) Paul T. Anastas

8.

Fill in the blanks :1 nm = …..m?

Answer»

1 nm = 109 m.

9.

Nanosized copper clusters have the mechanical strength of (a) less than the bulk copper wire (b) 100% more than the bulk metal (c) 200% more than the bulk metal (d) 500% more than the bulk metal

Answer»

Correct answer is

(d) 500% more than the bulk metal

10.

The catalyst used in photocatalysis is (a) gold (b) Raney Ni (c) TiO2 (d) AI2O3

Answer»

Correct answer is

(c) TiO2

11.

The nanomaterial based catalyst are usually (a) homogeneous catalyst (b) heterogeneous catalyst (c) good catalyst (d) bad catalyst

Answer»

Correct answer is

(b) heterogeneous catalyst

12.

Name the scientist who discovered scanning tunneling microscope (STM) in 1980.

Answer»

Gerd Binning and Heinrich Rohrer. (Nobel prize 1986)

13.

Which nanomaterial is used for tyres of car to increase the life of tyres?

Answer»

Carbon black is used for tyres of car to increase the life of tyres.

14.

Give the full form (long form) of the names for the following instruments.a. XRDb. TEM. c. STM d. FTIR e. SEM

Answer»

a. XRD-X-ray diffraction 

b. TEM-Tunneling Electron Microscope 

c. STM – Scanning Tunneling Microscope 

d. FTIR-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscope 

e. SEM-Scanning Electron Microscope

15.

What is the colour of gold nanoparticles ?

Answer»

The colour of gold nanoparticles is red.

16.

Name the nanoparticles used in sunscreen.

Answer»

Zinc oxide (ZnO) and Titanium dioxide (TiO2).

17.

Name the ϒ-isomer of BHC.

Answer»

The ϒ-isomer of BHC is Lindane.

18.

Discuss the various analytical tools used for characterization of nanoparticles.

Answer»

The analytical tools used for characterization of nanoparticles are

  • U.V visible spectroscopy – It gives the preliminary confirmation of formation of nanoparticles.
  • X-ray Diffraction (XRD) – The information given by this tool is about particle size, crystal structure and geometry.
  • Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) : This is used to study the structure of surface of material that is the morphology of the material.
  • Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) gives information about the particles size.
  • (FTIR) Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy gives information about absorption of functional groups and binding nature of the nanomaterial.
19.

Give evidence of use of nanoparticles by humans in ancient times with appropriate examples.

Answer»

There is enough evidence that nanomaterials have been produced and used by humans in ancient times. 

For example :

  • Gold and silver nanoparticles trapped in the glass matrix gives ruby red colour in some ancient glass paintings.
  • The decorative glaze or metallic film known as lustre found on some medieval pottery is due to certain spherical metallic nanoparticles.
  • Carbon black is a nanostructured material that is used in tyres of car to increase the life of tyre. (Discovery in 1900). Carbon nanotubes are made up of graphite sheets with nanosized diameter. They have highest strength.
  • Fumed silica, a component of silicon rubber, coatings, sealants and adhesives is also a nanostructured material.
20.

The plastic ketch-up bottles and syrup bottles made from polypropylene (pp) can be recycled to make (a) battery cables, brooms, ice scrapers, rakes (b) envelopes, floor tiles, lumber(c) custom-made products (d) carpet, furniture, new containers

Answer»

Correct answer is

(a) battery cables, brooms, ice scrapers, rakes

21.

Green chemistry reduces risk by (a) developing the process for reuse and recycle of solvents and chemicals (b) inventing technologies to clean the environ-ment (c) minimize the use of chemicals (d) reducing or eliminating the use or generation of hazardous chemicals in chemical products and process

Answer»

Correct answer is

(d) reducing or eliminating the use or generation of hazardous chemicals in chemical products and process

22.

The material synthesized on the nanometer scale possess (a) same bulk properties (b) different bulk properties (c) unique optical, magnetic, electrical properties (d) no change in properties

Answer»

Correct answer is

(c) unique optical, magnetic, electrical properties

23.

Nanomaterials of zero dimension is (a) one in which all three dimensions are in the nanoscale (b) one in which two dimensions are in the nanoscale (c) one in which one dimension is in the nanoscale (d) None of the above

Answer»

Correct answer is

(a) one in which all three dimensions are in the nanoscale

24.

The nanometer scale is conventionally defined as (a) 10 – 100nm (b) 1 – 100nm (c) 1 – 1000 nm(d) 1 – 10000 nm

Answer»

Correct answer is

(b) 1-100 nm

25.

The development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own need is known as a. Continuous development b. Sustainable development c. True development d. Irrational development

Answer»

Correct answer is

b. Sustainable development

26.

Define (i) Green chemistry (ii) sustainable development.

Answer»

(i) Green chemistry : Green chemistry is the use of chemistry for pollution prevention and it designs the use of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use or generation of hazardous substances.

(ii) Sustainable development : Sustainable development is the development that meets the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

27.

Give name of father of green chemistry.

Answer»

Paul T. Anastas

28.

Name the materials having structural components with at least one dimension in the nanometer scale.

Answer»

Nanomaterials materials having structural components with at least one dimension in the nanometer scale.

29.

The measure of the amount of atoms from the starting materials that are present in the useful product at the end of chemical process is known as (a) catalyst (b) atom economy (c) design of safer chemicals (d) design for efficient energy

Answer»

Correct answer is

(b) atom economy

30.

Name the development that meets the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generation to meet their own need.

Answer»

Sustainable development

31.

How will you develop products that are less toxic or which require less toxic raw materials ?

Answer»
  • There is a need to design safer chemicals to prevent the workers in chemical industries from being exposed to toxic environment.
  • Adipic acid is extensively used in polymer industry. In synthesis of adipic acid, benzene is used as the starting material, but benzene is carcinogenic and being volatile organic compound (VOC) it pollutes the air and environment.
  • To overcome this health hazard Green technology developed by Drath and Frost, adipic acid is enzymatically synthesised from glucose.
32.

Chemical synthesis based on principle of green chemistry encourages the use of(a) hazardous chemicals (b) reactions with low atom efficiency (c) catalyst (d) high energy requirements

Answer»

Correct answer is

(c) catalyst

33.

State the disadvantages of nanoparticles and nanotechnology.

Answer»

Despite the benefits that nanotechnology offers to the world, it is accompanied by certain disadvantages and potential risks.

The standard of living has been raised by nanotechnology but at the same time it has increased the environmental pollution. The kind of pollution caused by nanotechnology is very dangerous for living organism, it is called nano pollution.

Nanoparticles can be potential health hazard depending on the size, chemical composition and shape. They can be inhaled and can be deposited in the human respiratory tract and in the lungs, causing lung damage.

34.

ExpLain less hazardous chemical synthesis with suitable example.

Answer»

1. To avoid formation of hazardous waste from chemical processes, the chemical reactions and synthesis routes should be designed to be as safe as possible. 

2. Earlier used insecticide DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanc) was found to be harmful for human beings. So DDT has been replaced by benzenc hexachioride (BHC) as an insecticide, one of the y-isomer (gamma) of BHC is called gammexane or lindane.

35.

Which are the sectors that are revolutionalized by nanoparticles ?

Answer»

Electronics, energy sector and medical fields.

36.

The prefix ‘nano’ comes from a. French word meaning billion b. Greek word meaning dwarf c. Spanish word meaning particle d. Latin word meaning invisible

Answer»

Correct answer is

(b) Greek word meaning dwarf

37.

Define the role of real time analysis in pollution prevention.

Answer»
  • There is a dire need to develop improvised analytical methods to allow for real time, in process monitoring and control prior to the formation of hazardous substances.
  • It is very much important for the chemical industries and nuclear reactors to develop or modify analytical methodologies so that continuous monitoring of the manufacturing and processing unit is possible.
38.

How nanotechnology plays an important role in water purification techniques?

Answer»

1. Water purification is an important issue as 1.1 billion people do not have access to improved water supply. Water contains water bom pathogens like viruses, bacteria. 

2. Silver nanoparticles are highly effective bacterial disinfectant to remove E. Coli from water. Hence, filter materials coated with silver nanoparticles is used to clean water. 

3. Silver nanoparticles (AgNps) is a cost effective alternative technology (for e.g. water purifier).

39.

What are the disadvantages of nanotechnology ?

Answer»

Nano pollution and lung damage.

40.

Which highly effective and cost effective nano-particles are used for water purification ? (a) gold nanoparticle (b) copper nanoparticle (c) silver nanoparticle (d) silica nanoparticle

Answer»

Correct answer is

(c) silver nanoparticle

41.

Name the body part that gets affected by the hazardous nano pollution. (a) heart (b) brain (c) lungs (d) eyes

Answer»

Correct answer is

(c) lungs

42.

The sectors revolutionalized by nanotechnology are (a) electronics and computing (b) energy (c) medicine (d) All of the above

Answer»

Correct answer is

(d) All of the above

43.

Self cleansing windows are example of the (a) Nanoparticle effect (b) Crompton effect (c) Lotus effect (d) Tyndal effect

Answer»

Correct answer is

(c) Lotus effect

44.

The pollution caused by nanotechnology is known as (a) air pollution (b) nano pollution (c) ground pollution (d) environmental pollution

Answer»

Correct answer is

(b) nano pollution.

45.

Which flower is an example of self-cleaning?

Answer»
  • Lotus is an example of self cleansing. 
  • Nanostructures on the lotus plant leaves are super hydrophobic, they repel water which carries dirt as it rolls off. 

Thus though lotus plant (Nelumbonucifera) grows in muddy water, its leaves always appear clean.

46.

Define the term "Atom economy". 

Answer»

Atom economy : Atom economy is a measure of the amount of atoms from the starting materials that are present in the final product at the end of chemical process.

47.

The atom economy of the following reaction is CH3 - CH2 - CH2 - CH2 - OH + NaBr + H2SO4 → CH3 – CH2 – CH2 – CH2 – Br + NaHSO4 + H2O(a) 49.81% (b) 49% (c) 50% (d) 100%

Answer»

Correct answer is

(a) 49.81%