Ceramatec, Inc. is excited to join the Nano-Technology revolution. We have the capability to invent, develop and scale up proprietary technologies for producing nano-powders for targeted applications like infrared windows, catalysts, fuel cells, and even cosmetics.

As part of our nano-initiative, Ceramatec, Inc. has synthesized nano-powders using a proprietary powder synthesis process that results in very high purity, high-quality, un-agglomerated, high surface area, nanocrystalline ceramic powders.

Ceramatec, Inc. looks forward to collaborating and expanding in the area of nanotechnology through research sub-contracts, business partnership, and R&D investments. New ideas and practical approaches are at the forefront of our efforts. Ceramatec, Inc. can also entertain special custom orders for synthesizing novel nano-ceramic powders.
Nanocrystalline Ceramics

Benefits:

Powders with different properties for various targeted applications can be synthesized by varying:

  • Surface Area
  • Crystallite Size
  • Paricle Size
  • Purity
  • Dopant type & dopant concentrations (mixing & dispersion at nano-level)
  • Single phase or two phase mixtures (nano-phase mixtures)

NanoCeramic powders – single phase or two phase mixtures of Y2O3, CaO, TiO2, SnO2, Al2O3, ZrO2, ZrO2-x mol% Y2O3, Fe2O3, and ZnO – with a wide range of powder properties can be manufactured using our proprietary process.

Applications:

  • Fuel Cells
  • Infrared windows for defense applications
  • Catalysts for meterial synthesis and gas-reactions
  • Cosmetics and body care products

Examples:

Powder properties of Nanocrystalline Yttria (Y203) synthesized at Ceramatec, Inc.

  • Ultrafine powders: 35 nm mean particle diameter (90% under 40 nm)
  • High Purity: >99.986%
  • High surface area: ~100 m 2/g
  • Monodisperse: Std dev. of ~20% in diameter
  • Unagglomerated
  • Phase Pure (fully cubic)
  • Good Sinterability
  • Unique Process > Low Cost (For large volume production)


Crystallite Size / Particle Size Data

  • Crystallite Diameter from XRD - 11nm
  • BET Surface Area - 111m2/g
  • Crystallite Diameter (calculated from surface area, assuming spherical particles) - 10.8 nm
  • Crystallite Diameter measured from TEM - 10 to 20 nm
  • D50, Particle Diameter measured from powder particle size analysis - 30 nm
  • Unimodal particle size distribution
  • Agglomerate free
  • Mean particle size: 35 nm (by volume); Median: 29 nm (by volume)
Chemical Purity:

ICP-MS (60 element screen) data suggest powders are > 99.986% pure with extremely low Si content.
Contaminant Amount (ppm) Contaminant Amount (ppm)
Manesium 4 Tungsten < 3
Aluminum 15 Lead 2
Calcium < 6 Sodium 7
Vanadium < 12 Potassium < 3
Chromium < 2 Tin 1
Zinc 19 Lanthanum 1
Arsenic < 4 Dysprosium 1
Cerium 4 Ytterbium 1
Neodynium 4 Silicon < 1
Gadolinium 4 Remaining 41 Elements <1
Total Impurities: < 134 ppm Overall Purity: > 99.986%
Symbol of fineness, quality and purity:
The high purity, ultrafine, agglomerate-free powders, when compacted, lead to extremely fine pores in the green stage. As a result, this ~45% dense green yttria pellet (picture left) is semi-translucent and has improved sinterability than their sub-micron or micron counterparts. The translucency disappears if any agglomeration is present in the powder (see picture right).