One of the primary challenges in nanotechnology is maintaining the stability of nanostructures. At the nanoscale, materials exhibit unique properties — such as increased surface area-to-volume ratio and quantum effects — but these also make them highly reactive and susceptible to aggregation, oxidation, and environmental degradation.
Because of their small size and high surface energy, nanoparticles may clump together or change behavior over time, making it difficult to preserve their desired characteristics during storage, processing, or application. This instability can affect performance in fields such as drug delivery, nanoelectronics, or catalysis.
Other options explained: - (A) Increasing size goes against the purpose of nanotechnology, which relies on small scale.
- (C) Nanotechnology does not aim to simplify bulk material production — it's more about precision at the atomic or molecular level.
- (D) Reducing conductivity is not a typical goal or challenge — many nanomaterials are valued for their enhanced conductivity.
Therefore, the real challenge lies in
maintaining the stability of nanostructures over time and under varying conditions.