Nanoparticle technology for the production of functional materials

Abstract

The nanoparticle technology, relating to the preparation, characterization, processing, and applications of nano-sized particles, plays an increasingly important role in the emerging nanotechnology. Although the nanoparticles have many unique functional properties superior to the coarser particles, they also suf fer from dispersion and stability problems because of their strong cohesiveness and high specific surface areas. To make the best use of nanoparticles and solve their application problems, the development of nanomaterial processing techniques is essential. New chemical synthesis methods for producing nano-sized oxides particles in the gas phase and producing biocompatible polymeric nano-composite particles in the solution phase were elucidated in the paper. In addition, mechanical breakdown method (e.g. nano-grinding) was brief ly discussed. Furthermore, newly developed dry particle processing systems for making high performance nanocomposites as well as their applications in Fuel Cells, Drug Delivery Systems, and Cosmetics were introduced.