Ceramic nanoparticle technologies for ceramics and composites

Abstract

Nanoparticles provide interesting processing routes and material properties for many composites. For the fabrication of ZrO2 nanoparticles, a precipitation process followed by a hydrothermal treatment has been developed. For surface modification and deagglomeration to the primary particle size, a ball milling process and a kneading process have been developed, leading to agglomerate-free particle systems between 6 and 10 nm. For photo induced diffusion, double bond containing modifiers have been used and a process for holographic pattern formation has been developed. The ZrO2 nanoparticle systems have been used in compounding technologies for polycarbonate, showing a strong increase of the compressive strength and for the formation of ceramic membranes by a tape casting and lamination technology.