6740.1:
Fundamental Research on Ceramic Nanoparticles (Project of the TOP NANO 21 Innovation Committee)
Abstract
A fundamental research program on ceramic nanoparticles is proposed. Today it is well understood that nanosize particles have distinctly different properties than meso– and macro size materials. The coordination number of atoms and thereby their physical and chemical properties are often different from that of corresponding atoms in the bulk, i.e. inside the particles. As a result, the particle melting point decreases, light absorption increases, and electromagnetic and other properties change, compared with those of the bulk. Fundamental research is now needed to understand basic phenomena at the nano level so new products and applications may emerge including new medicine or medical devices, cosmetics, low temperature catalysts, advanced fuel cells, self-cleaning surfaces to just name a few.
The core scientific team consists of Prof. Baiker (D-CHEM) for catalysis, Prof. Gauckler (D-WERK) for ceramics, Prof. Koumoutsakos (D-INFK) for computational simulation, Prof. Pratsinis (D-MAVT) for processing plus Prof. Schlapbach (EMPA) and his plasma team at Thun. Prof. Baiker will investigate the fundamentals of catalytic activity and selectivity of novel mixed oxide nanostructured catalysts with a Ph.D. student using nanoparticles made by flame spray pyrolysis by a Ph.D. student under the direction of Prof. Pratsinis. Prof. Gauckler will use the size dependent melting of small particles and thin layers to sinter nm-scaled oxide powders to full density at unusual low temperatures thus avoiding substantial grain growth in the final stage of sintering of ceramics with two Ph.D. students. In addition, with another Ph.D. student he will tailor additives in nanoparticle suspensions, the specifically adsorbing molecules and the solvent to the nano–particles, to achieve a stable particle suspension with the highest solids loading and to process it to a stable particle network. Prof. Koumoutsakos will develop simulators of molecular dynamics focusing on nanofluidics for understanding the effect of curvature on nanoparticle properties (i.e. Kelvin effect) and their interaction with other particles with one post-doctoral fellow (50 %), in collaboration with Prof. Pratsinis. Prof. Pratsinis will support the modeling efforts by Prof. Koumoutsakos with one post-doctoral Research Associate and those at EMPA with another post-doctoral fellow (50%). Furthermore, he will administer the whole program with a Project Leader Research Associate who also will be involved together with one Ph.D. student in synthesis of non-agglomerated particles (e.g. by nozzle quenching). Prof. Schlapbach and Dr. Leparoux from EMPA Thun will guide one Ph.D. student to understand the inductively coupled plasma processing of nanoparticles and its modeling in collaboration with Prof. Pratsinis for industrial design and manufacture of application-tailored nanopowders.
This cluster of activities will hold a monthly seminar series to bring together the entire cluster membership encouraging and preparing for a strong presence in international conferences. This will create synergism between existing ETHZ and EMPA research programs that will translate to even stronger research accomplishments and scientific leadership that should attract industry and even venture capital. This project will support the research of 7 Ph.D. students and 3 post-doctoral research associates for 12 months.