Topics Covered
Integrated Family of Technologies
Fuel Cells
UV-Attenuating Coatings
Environmental Catalysts
Glass Polishing
Semiconductor Polishing
Products, Data and Specifications
Typical Properties
Cerium Oxide Dispersions
NanoTek® CE-6000 Series Cerium Oxide
Dispersions for Polishing
NanoTek® CE-6042, 18wt% 0311
NanoTek® CE-6044, 18wt% Pending
NanoTek® CE-6080, 20wt% 0315
NanoTek® CE-6082, 18wt% 0314
NanoTek® CE-6086, 18wt% EXP 0333
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.
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.
Fuel Cells
It has been reported that the use
of rare earth metal oxides has utility in various aspects of fuel
cell design, but especially as components in electrodes and as low-temperature
electrolytes in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). NanoArc® Cerium Oxide
and mixed rare earth metal oxides have shown promise in testing for
such applications. Special formulations of mixed rare earth metal
oxides can be commercially manufactured according to development partner
or customer requirements, an example of which is a range of Cerium
Oxide samaria nanomaterials made specifically for
a fuel cell application. Nanophase has also developed patent pending
technology for applying these and other nanoparticle coatings using
standard high-velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) thermal spray equipment.
UV-Attenuating
Coatings
The incorporation of nanomaterials
in surface coatings can provide long-term protection from harmful
UV radiation in harsh environments without significantly effecting
optical clarity, gloss, color or physical properties. Degradation
of substrates through exposure to ultraviolet light is an old problem,
but now there is a new and permanent solution. Whether the substrate
is metal (automotive clear-coats), glass (windows and architectural
glazing) or polymeric (plastic sheets and building products), UV attenuation
may be critical to the long-term performance of the substrate or items
that the substrate protects. Incorporation of NanoTek® Cerium Oxide
into clear surface coatings can help to attenuate unwanted UV light
without significantly sacrificing clarity, gloss or physical properties.
Additionally, the NanoDur® products will not wear out over time as
organic UV absorbers do, and they can withstand high temperatures
and harsh conditions during processing without being deactivated.
The NanoTek® products can also be surface treated through proprietary
technology to ensure compatibility with a variety of coating systems.
Environmental
Catalysts
The use of nanomaterials based on
rare earth metal oxides allows for the preparation of thinner active
layers, which can mean less precious metal usage. These nanomaterials
also allow for the preparation of higher solids dispersions that are
very stable, minimizing the number of coating steps and losses due
to flocculated dispersions. Automotive catalytic converters are a
key focus area for catalyst performance. While government regulations
continue to drive lower acceptable emissions levels of carbon monoxide,
hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides, automotive companies are attempting
to lower the use of precious metals, such as platinum, palladium and
rhodium, in the catalytic converter to lower cost while meeting the
more stringent performance standards. Diesel engines are beginning
to be subject to similar regulations as gasoline engines.
One way to achieve lower emissions
in a cost effective manner is to utilize co-catalysts that provide
good oxygen storage capability and thermal stability in thinner layers.
NanoTek® Cerium Oxide and mixed rare earth metal oxides meet the criteria
necessary to enhance catalytic converter performance when properly
incorporated into a catalyst system, and because they are dense, single
phase individual crystals, there is nothing to collapse during thermal
cycling. The same materials can be used in other types of environmental
catalysts, such as exhaust converters for stationary and large internal
combustion engines, chemical scrubbers and for other gaseous products
and waste streams.
Glass Polishing
For many years cerium oxide dispersed
in water, has been and continues to be, the best polishing material
for glass with respect to surface finish and removal rate. Nanophase’s
brand of Cerium Oxide and mixed rare earth metal oxides provide the
next level of performance for ultra fine polishing applications.
These unique dispersions provide
minimal subsurface damage with maximum removal rates. In critical
applications, such as photomasks and disk drives, surface roughness
values of less than 3 angstroms have been achieved with our Cerium
Oxide dispersion.
Semiconductor
Polishing
As the semiconductor industry continues
to move forward to smaller chip architecture, the need for advanced
CMP slurries becomes a requirement that cannot be met by the slurries
provided in the past. Nanophase’s brand of Cerium Oxide and mixed
rare earth metal oxide dispersions are on the forefront of providing
high planarity surfaces and efficient removal rates.
These high purity dispersions feature
particles less than 100 nanometers in size with uniform morphology
for critical electronic polishing applications. The unique surface
chemistry of these nanomaterials allows formulation of highly concentrated
dispersions at a variety of pH.
Products, Data and Specifications
Figure 2. NanoTek® Cerium Oxide
Typical Properties
- CeO2
- Purity = 99+%,
- APS 48 nm (determined from SSA)
- SSA = 12 – 36 m2/g (BET)
- Appearance = Pale yellow liquids
Cerium 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.
NanoTek®
CE-6000 Series Cerium Oxide Dispersions for Polishing
NanoTek®
CE-6042, 18wt% 0311
Cerium oxide water borne dispersion
is suitable for use in acid side ultra fine polishing slurries.
NanoTek®
CE-6044, 18wt% Pending
Cerium
oxide water borne dispersion is suitable for use in acid side ultra
fine polishing slurries. Same average particle size, but tighter
particle size distribution than 6042.
NanoTek®
CE-6080, 20wt% 0315
Cerium
oxide water borne dispersion is suitable for use in alkaline side
polishing slurries. Sub micron particle size makes for good
removal rate with minimal subsurface damage
NanoTek®
CE-6082, 18wt% 0314
Cerium oxide water borne dispersion
is suitable for use in alkaline side ultra fine polishing slurries.
NanoTek®
CE-6086, 18wt% EXP 0333
Cerium oxide water borne dispersion
with polishing performance additives is suitable for use in alkaline
or acid side ultra fine polishing slurries.