Topics Covered
Integrated Family of Technologies
X-Ray Opacity
Products, Data and Specifications
NanoArc® Bismuth Oxide
Bismuth Oxide Nanopowders
NanoArc® Bismuth Oxide EXP 0250
Bismuth Oxide Dispersions
Integrated Family of Technologies
As a leader in the field of nanomaterials
technologies, Nanophase has evolved from solely a producer of nanoparticles
into an integrator of commercially scaled nanomaterial technologies
focused on market and customer applications. Nanophase Technologies Corporation manufactures a variety of
nanocrystalline powders in commercial quantities. The nanocrystalline
metal oxides typically have a mean particle size less than 100 nm,
are non-porous single crystals, have defined surface chemistry, and
are chemically pure. Further modification of these materials often
involves vapor-phase coating to prepare a surface-modified dry powder,
or liquid phase processing to prepare a dispersion that is compatible
with the application. Nanophase’s family of integrated technologies economically produces
nanocrystalline materials and then nanoengineers those materials to
fit customer’s needs.
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Figure 1. Nanophase development process
Nanophase’s development process is designed to produce the most
advantageous nanomaterials solution for an application. The foundation
technologies are the patented Physical Vapor Synthesis (PVS) process
and patent pending NanoArc® Synthesis (NAS) process. These processes
use plasma energy to produce pure, non-agglomerated, non-porous, single-phase
metal and mixed metal oxide nanoparticles at annual capacities measured
in tens of thousands of kilograms per reactor. Nanoparticle size and
surface chemistry can be tailored for applications as the nanomaterial
is produced.
This marks Nanophase’s entrée into the medical appliance industry and is
another example of the use of nanotechnology to provide technology
solutions in important applications in mainstay industries. Bismuth
oxide has been used extensively for years in the medical appliance
industry to impart X-ray opacity. As parts become smaller and thinner,
it is difficult to incorporate bismuth oxide to achieve X-ray opacity
without deteriorating the physical properties of the plastic or composite
part. Because nanoparticles are so small, they can be incorporated
at levels that provide the needed X-ray opacity without significantly
affecting rheology, physical properties or surface characteristics.
X-Ray Opacity
NanoArc® Bismuth oxide can be incorporated into specialty polymers
and materials for bone implants, dental prosthetic devices, catheters,
sutures and surgical instruments to make them detectable by X-rays
without the toxicity or carcinogenicity associated with other heavy
metals. When incorporated into other plastics, benefits such as X-ray
detection of toys and objects swallowed by children, or X-ray detection
of plastic firearms at airport security stations, can be achieved.
Other applications for NanoArc® Bismuth Oxide nanoparticles include various electrochemical
uses, such as in the electrolyte or cathode of solid oxide fuel cells
(SOFC), for specific photoconductive characteristics in thin films
as well as for use in bio-medical and cancer imaging.
Other applications for NanoArc® Bismuth Oxide include ceramic additives for varistors
that are used for electrical surge protectors, additives to reduce
processing temperatures for high-temperature ceramics that are used
in gas and fluid detectors to improve automotive fuel efficiency and
reduce smog and as additives into optical glass formulations to increase
refractive index and specific gravity.
Products,
Data and Specifications
NanoArc® Bismuth Oxide
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Figure 2. NanoArc® Bismuth Oxide
- Bi2O3, Purity: 99.5+%,
- APS 40nm (determined from SSA)
- SSA = 17m2/g (BET),
- Appearance = Bright yellow powder
- True Density = 8.9 g/cc
- Morphology = Nearly Spherical Faceted
- Crystal Phase = Tetragonal
Bismuth
Oxide Nanopowders
NanoArc®
Bismuth Oxide
EXP 0250
An x-ray opaque particle, NanoArc® Bismuth Oxide can be compounded into polymers or coating
systems to increase opacity to x-rays, while the small particle size
ensures minimal disruption of physical properties. NanoArc® Bismuth
Oxide can also be used as an astringent in a variety of medical creams
and topical ointments.
Bismuth
Oxide Dispersions
Nanophase has worked diligently for years to develop expertise
in dispersing nanomaterials in water, polar organics and non-polar
organics. We offer most of our products in one or more standard
dispersions. We also offer the service of dispersing a nanomaterial
in the bulk medium of your choice as long as it is of low viscosity,
non toxic, and has a flash point greater than 100°F.