Nanoparticles research is increasingly gaining attention due to their numerous properties, such as increased electrical conductivity, toughness, formability of ceramics, ductility, increased hardness and strength of metals and alloys, and luminescent efficiency of semiconductors.
This article discusses the properties and applications of gallium oxide nanoparticles. Gallium is a Block P, Period 4 element, while oxygen is a Block P, Period 2 element. Elemental gallium does not occur in nature. It is a brittle solid at low temperatures. Gallium is not toxic.
The morphology of gallium oxide nanoparticles can be spherical or faceted, and they appear as a white powder.
Chemical Properties
The chemical properties of gallium oxide nanoparticles are outlined in the following table.
| Chemical Data |
| Chemical symbol |
Ga2O3 |
| CAS No. |
12024-21-4 |
| Group |
Gallium 13
Oxygen 16 |
| Electronic configuration |
Gallium [Ar] 3d10 4s2 4p1
Oxygen [He] 2s2 2p4 |
| Chemical Composition |
| Element |
Content (%) |
| Gallium |
74.39 |
| Oxygen |
25.59 |
Physical Properties
The physical properties of gallium oxide nanoparticles are given in the following table.
| Properties |
Metric |
Imperial |
| Density |
5.88 g/cm3 |
0.212 lb/in3 |
| Molar mass |
187.44 g/mol |
- |
Thermal Properties
The thermal properties of gallium oxide nanoparticles are provided in the table below.
| Properties |
Metric |
Imperial |
| Melting point |
1900°C |
3,452°F |
Manufacturing Process
Gallium oxide nanoparticles can be synthesized by doping a premixed H2/O2/Ar flat flame with diluted trimethyl gallium Ga (CH3)3 in a low-pressure reactor.
X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that the as-synthesized Ga2O3 nanoparticles are mostly amorphous.
Applications
The key applications of gallium oxide nanoparticles are listed below:
- In vacuum deposition
- As part of the manufacturing of semiconductor devices
- Dielectric coatings for solar cells.
Source: AZoNano