MX2008000133A - Manufacturing methods for nanomaterial dispersion and products thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

Methods for manufacturing nanomaterial dispersions and related nanotechnology. Nanomaterial concentrates that are cheaper to store and transport are described.

Description

MANUFACTURING METHODS FOR A DISPERSION OF NANOMATERIAL AND PRODUCTS THEREOF CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS The present application claims the benefit of provisional application number 60/581, 612, filed on June 21, 2004, application which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. This application is a continuation in part of the patent application of E.U.A. 09 / 790,036, filed on February 20, 2001 and is a continuation in part of the PCT patent application US03 / 37635, filed on November 25, 2003, both of which are incorporated herein by reference. This application is also a continuation in part of the patent application of E.U.A. 10/441, 683, filed May 20, 2003, which is a divisional of the Co-pending Patent Application of E.U.A. Serial No. 09 / 790,036, filed on February 20, 2001, which is a divisional of the U.S. Patent. 6,228,904, filed on May 22, 1998, which is incorporated herein by reference and which claims the benefit of the Provisional applications of E.U.A. 60 / 049,077, filed on June 5, 1997, 60 / 069,936 filed on December 17, 1997, and 60 / 079,225, filed on March 24, 1998. The US Patent. 6,228,904, is a continuation in part of the patent application of E.U.A. Not of Series 081739,257, filed on October 30, 1996, now the Patent of E.U.A. No. 5,905,000, which is a continuation in part of the No, Series of E.U.A. 08 / 730,661, filed on October 11, 1996, which is a continuation in part of the Serial No. E.U.A. 08 / 706,819, filed on September 3, 1996, now the U.S. Patent. No. 5,851, 507 and Serial No. E.U.A. 08 / 707,341, filed on September 3, 1996, now the U.S. Patent. No. 5,788,738.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to methods for manufacturing powder dispersions at submicron and nanometer scale.

RELEVANT BACKGROUND Powders are used in numerous applications. They are the building blocks of electronic, telecommunications, electrical, magnetic, structural, optical, biomedical, chemical, thermal and consumer goods. Ongoing market demands for smaller, faster, higher and more portable products have required the miniaturization of numerous devices. This, in turn, requires the miniaturization of the building blocks, that is, the powders. The designed submicrometric and nanometric powders (or nanoscale, nano-sized, ultra-fine), with a size of 10 to 100 times smaller than conventional micron sized powders, allow the improvement of the quality and the differentiation of the characteristics of the products, scales currently not achievable by commercially available micron size powders. Nanopowders, in particular, and submicron powders in general, are a novel family of materials, whose distinctive feature is that their domain size is so small that the confining effects of size become a significant determinant of material performance. Such confining effects can, therefore, lead to a wide range of commercially important properties. Nanopowders, therefore, are an extraordinary opportunity for the design, development and marketing of a wide range of devices and products for various applications. Furthermore, since they represent a whole new family of material precursors where the conventional coarse-grained physicochemical mechanisms are not applicable, these materials offer a unique combination of properties that can allow novel and multifunctional components of unrivaled performance. Yadav et al., In a U.S. Patent Application. copending and commonly assigned, No. 09 / 638,977, which together with the references contained herein, is incorporated herein by reference, teach some applications of such powders at the submicron and nanometer scale.

Some of the challenges in the effective production in cost of the powders, involves controlling the size of the powders, as well as controlling other characteristics such as the shape, distribution, the composition of the powder, etc. Innovations are desired in this regard.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Briefly stated, the present invention involves methods for manufacturing nanoscale powders, comprising a desired metal and applications thereof. In some embodiments, the present invention is a dispersion of nanoparticles of adulterated or unadulterated metal oxides. In some embodiments, the present invention is a compound and coating comprising adulterated or unadulterated metal oxides. In some embodiments, the present invention is powder dispersion applications comprising adulterated or unadulterated metal oxides. In some embodiments, the present invention are novel methods for producing nanoscale powder dispersions, which comprise metals in high volume, low cost, and reproducible quality with control of various characteristics of the powder and dispersion.

In some embodiments, the present invention are novel methods for producing nanoscale powder dispersions, which comprise metals in high volume, low cost, and reproducible quality with control of various characteristics of the powder and dispersion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows an exemplary general procedure for producing submicron and nanometer scale powders according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES This invention is generally directed to very fine inorganic powders. The scope of the teachings includes high purity powders. The powders discussed herein are of an average crystallite size of less than 1 miera, and in certain embodiments, less than 100 nanometers. The methods to produce and use such powders in high volume, low cost and reproducible quality, are also exposed.

Definitions For purposes of clarity, the following definitions are provided to assist in the understanding of the description and the specific examples provided herein. Each time a range of values is provided for a specific variable, both the upper and lower limits of the range are included within the definition. "Fine powders", as used herein, refers to powders that simultaneously satisfy the following criteria: (1) particles with an average size of less than 10 microns; and (2) particles with an aspect ratio between 1 and 1, 000,000. For example, in some embodiments, fine powders are powders having particles with an average domain size of less than 5 microns and with an aspect ratio ranging from 1 to 1,000,000. "Submicrometric powders" as used herein, refers to fine powders with an average size of less than 1 miera. For example, in some embodiments, submicron powders are powders having particles with an average domain size of less than 500 nanometers and with an aspect ratio ranging from 1 to 1,000,000. The terms "nanopowders", "nanotamable powders", "nanoparticles" and "nanoscale powders" are used interchangeably and refer to fine powders having an average size of less than 250 nanometers. For example, in some embodiments, nanopowders are powders having particles with an average domain size of less than 00 nanometers and with an aspect ratio ranging from 1 to 1,000,000.

Pure powders, as the term is used herein, are powders having a composition purity of at least 99.9% per base metal. For example, in some embodiments, the purity is 99.99%. Nanomaterials, as the term is used herein, are materials of any dimensional form (zero, one, two, three) and a domain size less than 100 nanometers. "Domain size", as the term is used herein, refers to the minimum dimension of a morphology of a particular material. In the case of powders, the size of the domain is the size of the grain. In the case of filaments and fibers, the size of the domain is the diameter. In the case of plates and films, the domain size is the thickness. The terms "powder", "particle" and "grain" are used interchangeably and include oxides, carbides, nitrides, borides, chalcogenides, halides, metals, intermetallics, ceramics, polymers, alloys and combinations thereof. These terms include a single metal, multiple metals and complex compositions. These terms also include hollow, porous, semi-porous, coated, uncoated, layered, laminated, simple, complex, dendritic, inorganic, organic, elemental, non-elemental, compound, adulterated, non-adulterated, spherical, non-spherical, functionalized on the surface, not functionalized on the surface, stoichiometric and non-stoichiometric. In addition, the term dust, in its generic sense, includes one-dimensional materials (fibers, tubes, etc.), two-dimensional materials (platelets, films, laminates, planes, etc.), and three-dimensional materials (spheres, cones, ovals, cylinders, cubes, monoclinics, parallelepipeds, dumbbells, hexagons, truncated dodecahedrons, irregularly shaped structures, etc.). The term metal used in the above, includes any alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, rare earth metal, transition metal, semimetal (metalloid), precious metal, heavy metal, radioactive metal, isotopes, amphoteric element, electropositive element, element forming cations, and includes any current or discovered element in the future in the periodic table. "Aspect ratio", as the term is used herein, refers to the ratio of the maximum dimension to the minimum of a particle. "Precursor", as the term is used herein, encompasses any crude substance that can be transformed into a powder of the same or different composition. In certain embodiments, the precursor is a liquid. The term "precursor" includes, non-exclusively, organometallic, organic, inorganic, solutions, dispersions, melts, sols, gels, emulsions or mixtures. "Powder", as the term is used herein, encompasses oxides, carbides, nitrides, chalcogenides, metals, alloys and combinations thereof. The term includes hollow, dense, porous, semi-porous, coated, uncoated, layered, laminated, simple, complex, dendritic, inorganic, organic, elemental, non-elemental, dispersed, compound, adulterated, non-adulterated, spherical, forms or substances non-spherical, functionalized on the surface, not functionalized on the surface, stoichiometric and non-stoichiometric. "Coating" (or "film" or "laminate" or "layer"), as the term is used herein, encompasses any deposition comprising submicron and nano-scale powders. The term includes in its scope a substrate or surface or deposition or a combination that is of hollow, dense, porous, semi-porous, coated, uncoated, simple, complex, dendritic, inorganic, organic, compound, adulterated, unadulterated form or morphology. , uniform, non-uniform, functionalized on the surface, not functionalized on the surface, thin, thick, pretreated, post-treated, stoichiometric or non-stoichiometric. "Dispersion", as the term is used herein, encompasses ink, pastes, creams, lotions, suspension, compositions of Newtonian matter, non-Newtonian, uniform, non-uniform, transparent, translucent, opaque, white, black, colored, emulsified organic, inorganic, polymeric, with additives, without additives, based on a molten substance, based on water, based on a polar solvent, or based on a non-polar solvent, comprising fine powders in any state of fluid substance or similar a fluid. For the purposes of this, a dispersion comprises at least one solid phase and at least one fluid or fluid-like phase, wherein the fluid or fluid-like phase exhibits a viscosity that is less than 10,000 Pa.second at any temperature between -273.15 ° C to 200.85 ° C (0 ° K to 2275 ° K). Non-limiting illustrations of the fluid or fluid-like phase included within range are organic solvents, inorganic solvents, polymer solvents, aqueous solvents, compositions comprising oxygen, compositions comprising chalcogenides, compositions comprising boron, compositions comprising phosphorus, compositions comprising halogen, compositions comprising nitrogen, compositions comprising a metal, compositions comprising carbon, metals and molten alloys, molten salts, supercritical fluids, liquids or oils or gels that are synthetic or derived from nature, such as agricultural or fish or trees or fruits or seeds or flora or fauna; the fluid or fluid-like phase included within the scope is water, acids, alkalis, organic melts, monomers, polymers, oligomers, biological fluids, ethers, esters, aromatics, alénes, alkenes, alkynes, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, acids carboxylics, organometallic, terpenoles, acetates, sulfonic acids, emulsions, mixtures of two or more liquid compositions, solutions and the like. This invention is directed to submicron and nanometric scale powders comprising adulterated or unadulterated metal oxides in certain embodiments. Given the relative abundance of metal in the earth's crust and the current limitations of purification technologies, it is expected that many commercially produced materials have natural metallic impurities. It is expected that these impurities are below 100 parts per million and in most cases, at a concentration similar to other elemental impurities. The removal of such impurities does not materially affect the properties of the material for an application. For purposes herein, powders comprising metal impurities wherein the impure metal is present at a concentration similar to other elemental impurities, are excluded from the scope of this invention. However, it is emphasized that one or more adulterated or unadulterated compositions of matter, certain metal can be intentionally designed as an adulterant in a powder at concentrations of 100 ppm or less, and these are included within the scope of this patent. In the generic sense, the invention teaches to prepare and then form nano-scale powder dispersions, and in a more generic sense, submicron powders comprising at least 100 ppm by weight, in some embodiments greater than 1% by weight per base of metal , and in other modalities, more than 10% by weight per metal base. Although the methods for preparing the fine powders are illustrated herein, teachings in the present that relate to the manufacture of dispersions and concentrates can be applied to fine powders and nanomaterials produced by any method. Figure 1 shows an exemplary general procedure for the production of submicron powders in general and nanopowders in particular. The process shown in Figure 1 starts with a metal containing a raw material (for example, non-exclusively, coarse oxide powders, metal powders, salts, suspensions, waste products, organic compounds or inorganic compounds). Figure 1 shows one embodiment of a system for producing nanometer and submicron scale powders according to the present invention. The procedure shown in Figure 1 starts at 100 with a precursor containing a metal, such as an emulsion, fluid, fluid suspension containing particles or a water soluble salt. The precursor may be an evaporated metal vapor, an evaporated alloy vapor, a gas, a single phase liquid, a liquid with multiple phases, a melt, a sol, a solution, fluid mixtures, a solid suspension or combinations of the same. The precursor containing the metal comprises a stoichiometric or non-stoichiometric metal composition with at least some part in a fluid phase. The fluid precursors are used in certain embodiments of this invention. Typically, fluids are easier to transport, evaporate and thermally process, and the resulting product is more uniform. In one embodiment of this invention, the precursors are environmentally benign, safe, readily available fluid materials with a high metal charge, low cost. Examples of precursors containing a metal, suitable for the purposes of this invention include, but are not limited to, metal acetates, metal carboxylates, metal ethanoates, metal alkoxides, metal octoates, metal chelates, metallo-organic compounds, metal halides, metal azides, metal nitrates, metal sulfates, metal hydroxides, metal salts soluble in organic or water, a metal compound comprising ammonium and emulsions containing the metal. In another embodiment, multiple precursors of the metal can be mixed if complex powders are desired at the nanometer and submicron scales. For example, a calcium precursor and a titanium precursor can be mixed to prepare titania and calcium oxide powders for electroceramic applications. As another example, a cerium precursor, a zirconium precursor and a gadolinium precursor can be mixed in correct proportions to provide an oxide powder of high purity, high surface area, mixed, for applications of an ionic device. In yet another example, a barium precursor (and / or a zinc precursor) and a tungsten precursor can be mixed to provide powders for pigment applications. Such complex nanometric and submicron scale powders can help to create materials with surprising and unusual properties not available through the respective single metal oxides or a simple nanocomposite formed by physically combining the powders of different compositions. It is desirable to use precursors of higher purity to produce a nanometer or submicron scale powder of a desired purity. For example, if a purity greater than x% is desired (based on weight of the metal), one or more precursors that are mixed and used can have purities greater than or equal to x% (per base of the weight of the metal) to practice the teachings of the present.

With continued reference to Figure 1, the precursor containing the metal 100 (containing one or a mixture of precursors containing a metal), is fed to the high temperature process 106, which can be implemented using a high temperature reactor, by example. In some embodiments, a synthetic adjuvant such as a reactive fluid 108 may be added together with the precursor 100 as it is fed into the reactor 106. Examples of such reactive fluids include, but are not limited to, hydrogen, ammonia, halides, carbon oxides. , methane, oxygen gas and air. Although the discussion herein teaches methods for preparing nanoscale and submicron oxide powders, the teachings can be easily extended in a manner analogous to other compositions such as carbides, nitrides, borides, carbonitrides and chalcogenides. These compositions can be prepared from micron sized powder precursors of these compositions or using reactive fluids that provide the desired elements in these compositions comprising the metal. In some embodiments, high temperature processing may be used. However, a moderate temperature processing or a low temperature / cryogenic process can also be used to produce nanometer and submicron scale powders using the methods of the present invention. The precursor 100 can be preprocessed in several other ways before any heat treatment. For example, the pH can be adjusted to ensure the stability of the precursor. Alternatively, selective solution chemistry, such as precipitation with or without the presence of surfactants or other synthesis adjuvants, can be employed to form a sol or other state of matter. The precursor 100 may be preheated or partially burned before the heat treatment. The precursor 100 can be injected axially, radially, tangentially or at any other angle towards the high temperature region 106. As indicated above, the. precursor 100 can be premixed or mixed diffusionally with other reagents. The precursor 100 can be fed into the thermal processing reactor by a laminar, parabolic, turbulent, pulse, cut or cyclonic flow pattern, or by any other flow pattern. In addition, one or more precursors containing the metal 100 can be injected from one or more doors into the reactor 106. The feed spray system can provide a feeding pattern that surrounds the heat source, or alternatively, the sources of heat can wrap the feed, or alternatively, various combinations of this can be employed. In some embodiments, the spray is atomized and sprayed in a manner that improves the efficiency of the heat transfer, the efficiency of the mass transfer, the efficiency of moment transfer, and the efficiency of the reaction. The shape of the reactor can be cylindrical, spherical, conical or any other shape. Methods and equipment such as those taught in US Patents may be employed. Nos. 5,788,738, 5,851, 507 and 5,984,997 (each of which is specifically incorporated herein by reference), in the practice of the methods of this invention. In certain modalities, the feeding conditions of the precursor and the feeding equipment are designed to favor instantaneous boiling. The precursor can be fed using any shape or size and device. The illustrative spray device includes a spray nozzle, a tubular feed orifice, flat or inclined nozzles, hollow-pattern nozzles, flat or triangular or square pattern nozzles and the like. In certain embodiments, a feeding system that provides enhanced instant cavitation and boiling, is used for improved performance. In this regard, a useful guide is to use a dimensionless number, called in the present index of cavitation (C.I.), which is defined for purposes of the present, as C.l. = (P0 - Pv) / pV2 where, P0 is the pressure of the procedure, Pv is the vapor pressure of the precursor in the feed nozzle, p is the density of the precursor, V is the average speed of the precursor at the outlet of the feed nozzle (feed rate volumetric divided between the cross-sectional area of the feed nozzle). In certain embodiments, a negative value of the cavitation index defined above is favorable. In other embodiments, a value less than 15 for the cavitation index is favorable. In still other modalities, a value less than 125 for the cavitation index is favorable. In certain modalities, the procedure pressure is maintained between 1 Torr and 0.000 Torr. In other modalities, the procedure pressure is maintained between 5 Torr and 1, 000 Torr. In certain modalities, the procedure pressure is maintained between 10 Torr and 500 Torr. The process pressure can be maintained using any method such as, but not limited to, compressors, pressurized fluids, vacuum pumps, devices operated by the venturi principle such as eductors and the like. In the case where the density or vapor pressure data for the precursor is unknown, it is recommended that they be measured by methods known in the art. Alternatively, as a useful guide, higher feed speeds are favorable in certain modes. In certain embodiments, the higher precursor feed temperatures are favorable. The higher feed precursors are useful in certain embodiments wherein the precursor is viscous or becomes viscous due to flow (the viscosity is greater than that of the water). In certain embodiments, the formulation and composition of the precursor, solvents, design of the feed spray equipment (eg, spray tip length, diameter, shape, surface roughness, etc.), feed parameters of the precursor that lead to an instantaneous evaporation or cavitation of one or more components of the precursor stream after spraying it into the reactor of process 106 (Figure 1), are useful.

With continued reference to Figure 1, after the precursor 100 has been fed into the reactor 106, it can be processed at high temperatures to form the product powder. In other embodiments, thermal processing can be performed at lower temperatures to form the powder product. The heat treatment can be done in a gaseous medium in order to produce the products, such as powders, having the desired porosity, density, morphology, dispersion, surface area and composition. This step produces byproducts such as gases. To reduce costs, these gases can be recycled, integrated into the mass / heat, or used to prepare the pure gas stream desired by the process. In embodiments using high temperature thermal processing, high temperature processing can be performed in step 106 (Figure 1) at temperatures greater than 1226.85 ° C (1500 ° K), in some embodiments greater than 2226.85 ° C (2500 ° C) K), in some embodiments greater than 2726.85 ° C (3000 ° K), and in some embodiments greater than 3726.85 ° C (4000 ° K). Such temperatures can be achieved by various methods, including, but not limited to, plasma processes, combustion in air, combustion in purified oxygen or oxygen-rich gases, combustion with oxidants, pyrolysis, electric arcing in an appropriate reactor and combinations of the same. The plasma can provide reaction gases or can provide a clean source of heat.

In certain embodiments, the high temperature is reached using enriched oxygen or pure oxygen (or other oxidants). Adiabatic temperatures greater than 2726.85 ° C or 3726.85 ° C or 4726.85 ° C (30O0 ° K or 4000 ° K or 5000 ° K) can be achieved using purified oxygen. In certain modalities, a low cavitation index, in combination with a stream of purified oxidant, favors useful maximum temperatures. In certain embodiments, a gas stream with more than 25% oxygen is useful. In other embodiments, a gas stream with more than 50% oxygen is useful. In other embodiments, a gaseous stream with more than 75% oxygen is useful. In still other modalities, a gas stream with more than 95% oxygen is useful. In other embodiments, a gas stream with more than 99.5% oxygen is useful. In some embodiments, the feed conditions of the precursor and the feed gas stream are mixed in a ratio that favors the complete evaporation of the precursor. In certain modalities, a molar ratio of the precursor and the gas stream between 0.001 and 0.72 is useful. In certain modalities, a molar ratio of the precursor and the gaseous current between 0.01 and 0.3 is useful. In certain embodiments, a molar ratio of the precursor and the gas stream between 0.05 and 0.2 is useful for thermal processing at high temperature. In certain embodiments, oxygen can be added in stages, thereby controlling the thermokinetic relationship of the fuel and the oxidant. In other embodiments, the ratio of fuel to oxidant may be maintained between the upper and lower flame limits for the precursor. The burned oxidant precursor and stream can also be heated using various thermal sources such as, but not limited to, plasma procedures (DC, RF, microwave, transferred arc, non-transferred arc, etc.), radiation, nuclear energy, etc. . In certain embodiments, a plug flow system may be used. A plug flow eliminates axial mixing and can therefore provide nanopowders with a narrow size distribution. The preferred design principle for the design of the plug flow reactor system is provided by UL / D > H.H Wherein, U: axial velocity L: axial length of reactor D: axial dispersion coefficient ß: plug flow index (preferably equal to 5, more preferably equal to 50, and even more preferably equal to 500 ) A thermal process at high temperature at 106 results in elements comprising steam, ionized species and / or elemental clusters. After thermal processing, this vapor is cooled in step 110 to nucleate the nanopowders. Nanoscale particles are formed due to thermokinetic conditions in the process. When designing process conditions, such as pressure, temperature, residence time, supersaturation and nucleation rates, gas velocity, flow rates, species concentrations, diluent addition, degree of mixing, moment transfer, transfer of mass and heat transfer, the morphology of powders at nanometric and submicrometric scales can be designed to measure. It is important to note that the focus of the procedure must be on the production of a powder product that is superior in satisfying the requirements of the final application and the client's needs. The surface and bulk composition of the nanopowders can be modified by controlling the temperature, pressure, diluents, reagent compositions, flow rate, addition of synthetic adjuvants upstream or downstream of the nucleation zone of the process, design of the process equipment and the similar. In certain embodiments, the nucleation temperature is adjusted to a temperature range where the condensed species are in liquid form at the process pressure. In these cases, the product of the nanomaterial tends to take a spherical shape; subsequently the spherical nanomaterial is then cooled to solidify. In certain embodiments, the nucleation temperature is adjusted to a temperature range where the condensed species are in solid form at the process pressure. In these modalities, the product of the nanomaterial has to take a faceted form, a platelet shape or a shape in which the aspect ratio of the particle is greater than one. By adjusting the nucleation temperature with other process parameters, the shape, size and other characteristics of the nanomaterial can be varied. In certain embodiments, the nanofilm comprising the stream is rapidly cooled after cooling to lower temperatures in step 116 to minimize and prevent agglomeration or grain growth. Suitable rapid cooling methods include, but are not limited to, the methods taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,738. In certain embodiments, sonic-to-supersonic processing before rapid cooling and during rapid cooling is useful. In certain embodiments, process current speeds and rapid cooling rates greater than 0.1 mach are useful (determined at 24.85 ° C (298 ° K) and 760 Torr or any other combination of temperature and pressure). In others, speeds greater than 0.5 mach are useful. In others, speeds greater than 1 mach are useful. Rapid cooling based on Joule-Thompson expansion is useful in certain modalities. In other embodiments, cooling gases, water, solvents, cold surfaces or cryogenic fluids may be employed. In certain embodiments, rapid cooling methods are employed, which can prevent the deposition of dust on the conveyor walls. These methods may include, but are not limited to, electrostatic means, gassing, the use of higher flow rates, mechanical means, chemical means, electrochemical means or sonication / vibration of the walls. In some modalities, the high temperature processing system includes instrumentation and programs that can help in the quality control of the procedure. further, in certain embodiments, the high temperature processing zone 106 is operated to produce fine powders 120, in certain submicron powder modes, and in certain nanopowder embodiments. The gaseous products of the process can be checked for composition, temperature and other variables to ensure quality in step 112 (Figure 1). The gaseous products can be recycled for use in process 106 or used as a valuable raw material when nanoscale and submicrometer-scale powders 120 have been formed, or can be treated to remove environmental contaminants, if any. After the rapid cooling step 116, the nanometric and submicron scale powders can be further cooled in step 8 and then collected in step 120. The nanoscale and submicrometer 120 powders of the product can be collected by any method. Suitable collection means include, but are not limited to, bag filtration, electrostatic separation, membrane filtration, cyclones, impact filtration, centrifugation, hydrocyclones, thermophoresis, magnetic separation, and combinations thereof. The rapid cooling in step 116 can be modified to allow the preparation of coatings. In such embodiments, a substrate (in a batch or continuous mode) can be provided in the flow path of the gas containing the quench powder. By designing the substrate temperature and the temperature of the powder, a coating comprising the submicron scale powders and the nanoscale powders can be formed. In some embodiments, a coating, a film or a component may also be prepared by dispersing the fine nanopowder, and then applying several known methods, such as, but not limited to, electrophoretic deposition, magnetophore deposition, rotating coating, dip coating, spraying, brush placement, screen printing, inkjet printing, organic pigment printing and sintering. The nanopowders can be treated or thermally reacted to improve their electrical, optical, photonic, catalytic, thermal, magnetic, structural, electronic, emission, processing or forming properties before such step. It should be noted that the intermediary or product at any stage of the process described herein or a similar process based on modifications by those skilled in the art, can be used directly as a feed precursor to produce nanoscale or fine powders by the methods taught in the present and other methods. Other suitable methods include, but are not limited to, those taught in U.S. Patents. commonly owned Nos. 5,788,738, 5,851, 507 and 5,984,997, and US Patent Applications. copending Nos. 09 / 638,977 and 60 / 310,967, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. For example, a sol can be combined with a fuel and then used as the feed precursor mixture for the thermal process above 2226.85 ° C (2500 ° K), to produce simple or complex nanoscale powders. In summary, a powder manufacturing method consistent with the teachings herein comprises (a) preparing a precursor comprising at least one metal; (b) feeding the precursor under conditions wherein the cavitation index is less than 1.0 and wherein the precursor is fed into a high temperature reactor operating at temperatures greater than 1226.85 ° C (1500 ° K), in certain major embodiments that 2226.85 ° C (2500 ° K), in certain embodiments greater than 2726.85 ° C (3000 ° K), and in certain embodiments greater than 3726.85 ° C (4000 ° K); (c) wherein, in the high temperature reactor, the precursor is converted to vapor comprising the metal in a process stream with a velocity above 0.1 mach in an inert or reactive atmosphere; (d) steam is cooled to nucleate submicron or nanoscale powders; (e) the nucleated powders are then rapidly cooled at high gas velocities to prevent agglomeration and growth; and (f) the rapidly cooled powders are filtered from the gas suspension. Another embodiment for making inorganic nanoscale powders comprises (a) preparing a fluid precursor comprising two or more metals, at least one of which is in a concentration greater than 100 ppm by weight; (b) feeding the precursor in a high temperature reactor with a negative cavitation index, (c) providing an oxidant, such that the molar ratio of the precursor and the oxidant is between 0.005 and 0.65, (d) wherein the precursor and the oxidant are heated to temperatures greater than 1226.85 ° C (1500 ° K), in some embodiments greater than 2226.85 ° C (2500 ° K), in some embodiments greater than 2726.85 ° C (3000 ° K), and in some embodiments greater than 3726.85 ° C (4000 ° K) in an inert or reactive atmosphere; (e) wherein, in the high temperature reactor, the precursor is converted into the vapor comprising the metals; (f) steam is cooled to nucleate submicron or nanoscale powders (in some embodiments, at a temperature where the condensed species is a liquid, in other embodiments, at a temperature where the condensed species is a solid); (g) in some embodiments, providing additional time to allow the nucleated particles to grow to a desired size, shape and other characteristics; (h) the nucleated powders are then rapidly cooled by any technique to prevent agglomeration and growth; e (i) the stream comprising the rapidly cooled powder is processed to separate the solids from the gases. In certain embodiments, the fluid precursor may include adjuvants for synthesis such as surfactants (also known as dispersants, coronation agents, emulsifying agents, etc.), to control the morphology or to optimize the economics of the process and / or the performance of the product. One embodiment for manufacturing coatings comprises (a) preparing a fluid precursor comprising one or more metals; (b) feeding the precursor to a negative cavitation index in a high temperature reactor, operating at temperatures greater than 1226.85 ° C (1500 ° K), in some embodiments greater than 2226.85 ° C (2500 ° K), in some modalities greater than 2726.85 ° C (3000 ° K), and in some embodiments greater than 3726.85 ° C (4000 ° K) in an inert or reactive atmosphere; (c) wherein, in the high temperature reactor, the precursor is converted to the vapor comprising the metals; (d) steam is cooled to nucleate submicron or nanoscale powders; (e) the powders are then rapidly cooled in a substrate to form a coating on a surface to be coated. The powders produced by the teachings herein may be modified by post-processing, as taught in commonly-owned U.S. Patent Application No. 10 / 113,315, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Methods for manufacturing dispersions of nanomaterials In certain embodiments, once the nanoparticles of the composition and desired characteristics are available, they are first deagglomerated, so that the average size of the agglomerate is equal to or less than twenty times (in certain embodiments, equal to or less than 20 times). less than ten times, in certain modalities, equal to or less than five times, and in certain modalities, equal to or less than three times) the size of the primary particle (crystallite), as determined by the Warren-Averbach analysis of the spectrum X-ray for the particles. The deagglomerated powders are then optionally treated to remove species adsorbed on the surface or add species to the surface or both. Methods for such treatment include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following (a) heat treatment at high pressures, ambient pressures and vacuum using inert, oxidizing or reducing atmospheres; (b) chemical treatment at suitable pressures, temperatures, times and fluid phases; (c) mechanical treatment such as those in the mills, microchannels, homogenizers and any method for applying fluid dynamic effects in general and shear forces in particular. Such treatments are useful and help to facilitate the dispersion of the nanoparticles and to design the characteristics of the dispersions, including those based on water, organic solvents, inorganic solvents, melts, resins, monomers, any type of fluid and the like. Other methods of treatment would be obvious and readily available to one of ordinary skill in the art and may be employed depending on the desired results. In some embodiments, the heat treatment of the nanopowders can be at temperatures lower than 75% of the melting point of the substance, in other embodiments, at temperatures lower than 50% of the melting point of the substance, and in still others additional embodiments, at temperatures lower than 25% of the melting point of the substance. If the melting point is unknown or as a generic guide, the heat treatment can be done between 100 to 400 ° C and in other modalities between 175 to 300 ° C, under air or gas flow. In certain embodiments, the heat treatment can be done between 400 to 800 ° C and in other modalities between 750 to 1200 ° C under air flow or gas flow. The heat treatment can be done in vacuum or at ambient pressure or under pressure or under supercritical conditions, in air, pure oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, argon, containing hydrogen, inert, containing halogen, containing organic vapor or other means adequate chemical It should be noted that in certain embodiments, the melting point of the nanoparticle is surprisingly lower than the melting point of a thicker powder of the same composition. If treatment is used, the chemical medium of the treatment medium can be properly verified and cooled to reflect changes in the medium of the reaction products. A specific illustration of the properties of the media that can be verified depends on the fluid phase and may optionally include one or more of the following, pH, temperature, zeta potential, conductivity, flocculation size, optical absorption characteristics, charge of the nanoparticle, chemical composition. In certain embodiments, the chemical treatment of the nanoparticles is made between a pH of about 0.5 and about 13, in certain modes between a pH of 2 to 5, and in certain embodiments, it is done between a pH of 8 and 11. The powders at the deagglomerated and surface treated nanoscale are then mixed with, and dispersed partially or completely in a suitable solvent. The illustration of suitable solvents includes, but is not limited to, water of regular or high purity, methanol, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, octane, dodecane, heptane, hexane, acetone, gasoline, DOWANOL® solvents and compositions corresponding to these solvents, glycols, glycerol, phenol, acetates, polyurethanes, acrylates, epoxies, aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, ethers, acids, amines, quaternary compounds, alkalis, terpenoles, liquids with a boiling point greater than 126.85 ° C (400 ° K), UV curable liquids, plasma curable liquids, heat curable liquids, ionic liquids, molten polymers, molten metals, monomers, oils, silicones, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, ethanolamine, formic acid, acetonitrile, alcohol-propyl, acetic acid, 2-ethoxy ethanol, anhydrous isopropanol, DMSO, 1-butyl alcohol, tetrahydro-furfuryl alcohol,?,? -dimethyl acetamide, diacetone alcohol , 2-methyl butanol, n-pentanol, acetone, 2- (2-butoxy ethoxy) ethanol, UCAR® Filmer TBT, cellosolve acetate, metotate, sophorone, methylethyl ketone, tetrahydrofuran, aniline , pyridine, methyl n-propyl ketone, UCAR® Ester EEP, UCAR® n-propyl propionate, primary amyl acetate, methyl isobutyl ketone, isobutyl acetate, UCAR® n-butyl propionate, n-butyl acetate, methyl isoamyl ketone, diisobutyl ketone, chloroform, 1,4-dioxane, trichloroethane, hydrochlorocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons, xylene, toluene, benzene, cyclohexane, hexane, carbon disulfide, carbon tetrachloride, methylene chloride, dimethylene chloride, n-glycolate -butyl, glycolic acid, methyl glycolate, ethyl lactate, ethyl glycolate, ethylenediamine, butyrolactone, n-octanol, iso-octanol, gasoline, diesel, kerosene, jet fuel, m-cresol, phenol, biofluids, sap plants, alphahydroxy compounds, sea water, mineral oils, milk, fruit juices, oils derived from plants, oils or extracts derived from seeds, the like and combinations thereof. The mixing step can be achieved by any technique. Illustrations of mixing techniques include, but are not limited to, agitation, sonication, bubbling, grinding, vibration, mixing with circulating centrifugal pump, mixing with blades, impact mixing, jet mixing, homogenization, corroded, fluid flow through of channels with dimensions less than 1000 microns (in certain modalities, less than 250 microns, in certain modalities, less than 100 microns and, in certain modalities, less than 100 times the average particle size of the powders). In certain modalities, high to very high shear rates (tip speeds greater than 25 fps in some modalities, greater than 50 fps in some modalities, and greater than 100 fps in other modalities); reaching shear rates greater than or much greater than 25,000 seconds "1), applied for short periods of time, can lead to higher dispersions.In certain modalities, very high or very slow shear rates can lead to agglomeration; Appropriate moderate shear rates can be discovered and practiced empirically.The dispersion manufacturing steps and the procedure can be automated with computers and programs to achieve superior reproducibility and lower variability.In certain embodiments, the solvent composition comprising one or more solvents, the non-limiting illustrations of which has been provided above, is selected using the Hansen solubility parameters In these modalities, the Hansen parameters, namely, non-polar (dispersive) component, polar component and link component of hydrogen of the solubility parameter for the solvents and the fine powder, they are determined and then the solvent composition is chosen, where the relative contribution of the Hansen parameters for the composition of the solvent and the desired fine powder correspond or are close to each other, which in the another alternate solvent composition. This discernment can also be used when a resin or polymer matrix is selected from a composition of a nanomaterial, or vice versa.

The Hansen parameters are related to the Hildebrand solubility parameter by the equation (Hildebrand parameter, 5t) 2 = (non-polar component of the Hansen dispersion, d ??) 2 + (Hansen's polar component, d?) 2 + (hydrogen bonding component of Hansen, 5h) 2 Most manufacturers of large volumes of solvents such as Dow Chemicals®, DuPont®, Eastman®, BASF®, Ashland®, Bayer® and others, determine and list all three Hansen parameters for the solvent they offer. These listed values may be used for teaching purposes herein. In the case of new solvents or other fluids or fluid-like compositions of matter, the numerical values for the Hansen component parameters can be established empirically or estimated theoretically or by methods known in the art. For example, the Hansen parameters can be determined in the following way: First, the dispersion force for a particular solvent is calculated using the homomorphic method. The homomorph of a polar molecule is the non-polar molecule that most closely resembles it in size and structure (n-butane is the homomorph of n-butyl alcohol). The Hildebrand value for the non-polar homomorph (due entirely to the scattering forces) is assigned to the polar molecule as its value of the scattering component. This dispersion value (squared) is subtracted after the Hildebrand value (squared) of the liquid, the rest is designated as a value representing the polar interaction plus the hydrogen bond of the molecule. Through trial-and-error experimentation and comparison with known solvents, one can separate the polar value into the parameters of the polar component and the hydrogen bonds that better reflect the empirical evidence. For fine powders (and nanomaterials), similar techniques can be used or the value of the Hansen parameter can be estimated based on empirical search and matching assisted by a solvent matrix and / or polymer compositions and instruments that measure the characteristics of the particle, such such as crystallite size, particle size, size distribution, light absorption, light reflection, light scattering, surface area, dielectric radius and the like. The techniques used to determine the Hansen parameters for solvents and polymers can be extended and used to determine the Hansen parameters for nanomaterials. For certain embodiments herein, a solvent composition is selected with the following parameters 30 (cal / cm3) 1 2 < d ?? < 100 (cal / cm3) / 2, 0 < d? < 50 (cal / cm3) 72, 0 < 5h < 50 (cal / cm3) 1/2 In other embodiments herein, a composition with the following parameters 10 (cal / cm3) 1/2 is selected < d ?? < 100 (cal / cm3) 172, 0 < d? < 50 (cal / cm3) 1'2, 0 < 5h < 50 (cal / cm3) 172 For a fine powder composition or specific nanomaterial composition (with the Hansen parameters given by d * ??> d *? And 5 * h) and a solvent composition (with the parameters of Hansen given by d ??, dd? And 5sh) to disperse the nanomaterial composition, is selected as follows. First, the percentage of the contribution of each Hansen parameter for the powder composition is calculated. Next, the contribution percentage of each Hansen parameter is calculated for the various solvent compositions. Next, the Hansen interface matching index (HIMI) is calculated, as follows HIMI = SQRT ((d * ?? / 0 * "of ?? / ° 5) 2 + (5 * P / D * - bspIDs) 2 + { D ?? * - 6sh / Ds) 2) /0.01 Where, SQRT: is a square root, a mathematical function D * = d * ?? + d *? + d * p (calculated in (cal / cm3) 2) Ds = d5 ?? + d5? + 6sh (calculated in (cal / cm3) 1/2) A solvent is selected with each value of the percentage of the contribution closest to the respective contribution percentage of the fine powder. In certain modalities, the correspondence index of the Hansen interface is less than 25, in other modalities, it is less than 10, in still other modalities, it is less than 5, and in other modalities, it is less than 1. To illustrate, if the values of the contribution percentage for the Hansen parameters of a nanomaterial are given by the non-polar component of 40%, the polar of 20% and the hydrogen bonds of 40%, a solvent composition would be selected with the following percentages of contributions to disperse the nanomaterials, in certain modalities, non-polar 35% -45%, polar 14% -26%, hydrogen bonds 30-50%. As another non-limiting illustration, we have determined that nanomaterials comprising aluminum (eg, aluminum oxide) have Hansen parameters so that a solvent composition with the following contribution percentages would be adequate to disperse the nanomaterials comprising aluminum, in certain modalities, not polar 33% -49%, polar 11% -29%, hydrogen bonds 28-47%. As another non-limiting illustration, we have determined that nanomaterials that comprise iron (for example, ferrites, iron oxide, and the like), have Hansen parameters so that a solvent composition with the following percentages of contributions would be adequate to disperse the nanomaterials comprising aluminum, in certain embodiments, non-polar 40% -63%, polar 14% -33%, hydrogen bonds 14-41%. As another non-limiting illustration, we have determined that nanomaterials comprising titanium (for example, anatase or rutile titania and the like), have Hansen parameters so that a solvent composition with the following percentages of contributions would be adequate to disperse the nanomaterials which comprise aluminum, in certain embodiments, non-polar 31% -53%, polar 12% -33%, hydrogen bonds 27-43%. As another non-limiting illustration, we have determined that nanomaterials comprising zirconium (eg, zirconia, zirconia stabilized with yttria, zirconium compound adulterated with gadolinium and the like), have Hansen parameters such that a solvent composition with the following Percentages of contributions would be adequate to disperse the nanomaterials comprising aluminum, in certain modalities, non-polar 68% -91%, polar 12% -31%, hydrogen bonds 9-28%. In certain embodiments, at least two or more solvents provide surprisingly improved dispersion characteristics and are used to formulate the dispersion. In certain embodiments, resins, monomers, solutes, additives and other substances may be added to provide surprisingly improved dispersion characteristics and used to formulate the dispersion. The choice of solvents, resins, monomers, solutes, additives and other additional substances can also be guided by the interface index of the Hansen interface discussed herein. Each Hansen parameter of a solvent composition that comprises two or more solvents can be calculated by multiplying the volume fraction of each solvent with the respective Hansen parameter for each solvent and adding them. In a generic way, the following equations work as a good guide d, mix =? (fraction of Volume * 6np) each solvent d ?, mixture =? (fraction of Volume * 5p) each solvent 5h, mixture =? (volume fraction * 6h) each solvent As discussed for the single solvents above, in a solvent mixture also, a solvent composition is chosen where the relative contribution of all three Hansen parameters for the solvent composition and those of the desired fine powder, correspond (ie, the mixture of the solvent composition is chosen where the Correspondence Index of the Hansen Interface is equal to zero) or nearly correspond or the difference is less than the other alternate solvent composition . In certain modalities where two or more solvents and / or resins are used, monomers, solutes, additives and other substances, the index of correspondence of Hansen's interface between the nanomaterial and the composition of the mixture is less than 50, in other modalities, it is less than 20, in still other modalities, it is less than 10, and in other modalities, it is less than 2.5. In certain embodiments, the fine powders are first washed with a solvent composition whose Index of Correspondence of the Hansen Interface is close to that of the fine powders before dispersing the fine powders in a solvent or resin or monomer or polymer or any other different matrix. A non-limiting illustration of this embodiment is to wash the nanoparticles of a metal oxide with acetic acid before dispersing them in isopropanol or acetonitrile or DOWANOL® PM or a mixture of one or more of these or other solvents. In still other embodiments, the nanomaterial can be treated on the surface, so that the species present on the surface in adsorbed or chemically bound form are removed, replaced, introduced and / or modified. The motivation for the surface treatment is to modify the surface of the nanomaterial (or fine powder), so that the index of correspondence of the Hansen interface of the modified nanomaterial on the surface and the solvent composition (or resin or polymer or matrix) ) of matter, corresponds (equal to zero) or is less than a value of 30. The surface treatment (or functionalization) of the nanomaterial can be done before the dispersion step or in situ, while the dispersion is prepared. In some embodiments, species present on the surface in adsorbed or chemically bound form can be species comprising nitrogen. In some embodiments, species present on the surface in adsorbed or chemically bound form may be species that comprise oxygen. In some embodiments, the species present on the surface in adsorbed or chemically bound form can be species comprising carbon. In some embodiments, the species present on the surface in adsorbed or chemically bound form may be species comprising silicon. In some embodiments, the species present on the surface in adsorbed or chemically bound form may be species comprising a chalcogen. In some embodiments, the species present on the surface in adsorbed or chemically bound form can be halogen-comprising species. In some embodiments, the species present on the surface in adsorbed or chemically bound form may be hydroxyl-comprising species. In some embodiments, the species present on the surface in adsorbed or chemically bound form may be a combination of two or more species. In certain other embodiments, the fine powders are first processed with a vapor comprising a solvent composition whose Index of Correspondence of the Hansen Interface is close to that of the fine powders before dispersing the fine powders in a solvent or resin or monomer or polymer or any other desired matrix. Processing can be done in one or more of the following, a fluidized bed, a furnace, a bed, a conveyor, a mixer, a jet mill, a calciner, a rotating bed, trays, an oven, a deposition unit and the similar. A non-limiting illustration of this embodiment is to contact metal oxide nanoparticles in a calciner with ketone vapor before dispersing them in a solvent mixture of sodium propane and water. In certain embodiments, the step of making the dispersion includes filtration. The filters can be constructed of polypropylene, Teflon®, cellulose, a polymeric medium, silicone-based, porous ceramic, porous metal, porous anodized substrate, porous carbon, porous wood, membrane or other medium. The filters may be uniform or may employ a pore gradient structure. The term filter classification for a filter depends on the pore size, the pore size distribution and the pore arrangement; the term refers to the maximum particle size in the dispersion that passes through the filter to the filtrate. In certain embodiments, filters with a filter rating of less than 3 microns are used. In certain embodiments, filters with a filter rating of less than 1 miera are used. In certain modalities, filters with a filter classification of less than 0.5 microns are used. In certain embodiments, filters with a filter rating of less than 250 nanometers are used. In certain modalities, filters with a filter rating of less than 00 nanometers are used. In certain embodiments, the gradient structure of the filters can be used where the gradient refers to reducing the average diameter of the filter pores in the direction of flow. In other embodiments, a filter structure with multiple layers can be used, wherein the layered structure has an average diameter that is reduced from the pores of the filter as one proceeds through the layers in the direction of flow. In other embodiments, multiple filters can be used in series, where thicker filters precede filters with a filter classification for the smallest particle size. The filters can be regenerated, activated, pressurized or used in various ways. Filters can be filters online or in other configurations. The filters can be retro-rinsable or disposable or washable. The filters can be used by any method known to the filtration community. For example, the filters can be used in combination with pumps, where the pump pressurizes the dispersion and causes it to flow through the filter. In applications where higher particle limits are desired, filtration is particularly useful. In some embodiments, a dispersion prepared in accordance with these teachings, 99% of the particle size (d9g) by volume, as measured by photocurreration spectroscopy (or other techniques) is less than 1000 nanometers. In certain embodiments, a dispersion prepared in accordance with these teachings, 99% of the particle size (dgg) by volume, as measured by photocurreration spectroscopy (or other techniques) is less than 500 nanometers. In other embodiments, a dispersion prepared in accordance with these teachings, 99% of the particle size by volume, as measured by photocurreration spectroscopy, is less than 250 nanometers. In still other embodiments, a dispersion prepared in accordance with these teachings, 99% of the particle size by volume, as measured by photocurreration spectroscopy, is less than 100 nanometers. In other embodiments, a dispersion of a nanomaterial prepared according to these teachings, 99% of the particle size by volume, as measured by photocurreration spectroscopy, is less than 50 nanometers. In some embodiments, a dispersion prepared in accordance with these teachings, the average diameter of the aggregate, as measured by photocurreration spectroscopy (or other techniques), is less than 750 nanometers. In certain embodiments, a dispersion prepared in accordance with these teachings, the average diameter of the aggregate, as measured by photocurreration spectroscopy (or other techniques) is less than 400 nanometers. In other embodiments, a dispersion prepared in accordance with these teachings, the average diameter of the aggregate, as measured by photo-correlation spectroscopy (or other techniques), is less than 200 nanometers. In still other embodiments, a dispersion prepared in accordance with these teachings, the average diameter of the aggregate, as measured by photo-correlation spectroscopy (or other techniques), is less than 100 nanometers. In other embodiments, a dispersion of a nanomaterial prepared according to these teachings, the average diameter of the aggregate, measured by photo-correlation spectroscopy (or other techniques), is less than 50 nanometers. In certain embodiments, where dispersion (for example, ink) needs to be dried quickly, solvents with a lower boiling point and high vapor pressure are generally recommended. In addition, additives that help drying by oxidation can be added to the dispersion. Illustrative examples of such additives include, but are not limited to, soaps of metals such as manganese and cobalt and other metals with organic acids. If it is important to avoid or decrease the drying of a dispersion over time, solvents with low vapor pressure or ionic liquids can be used. The premature oxidation of the inks can be delayed by adding antioxidants such as ionol, eugenol and other compounds. Additional additives may be added to modify the characteristics of a nanoparticulate ink. For example, waxes may be added to improve slip resistance, brand resistance or modify the rheology. Lubricants, defoamers, surfactants, thickeners, preservatives, biocides, dyes, commercially available ink carriers, catalysts and gelling agents can be added to achieve a combination of properties necessary for the final application. For the stability of the dispersion, salts and pH modifiers can be used. One of ordinary skill in the art can easily choose the additional additives, depending on the desired characteristics of the nanoparticulate ink. The dispersibility of the nanoparticles is improved in certain embodiments by treating the surface of the metal oxide powders or other nanoparticles comprising a metal. This treatment, in some modalities, is to mix the powders with surfactants of various kinds and different indices of hydrophilic lipophilic balance (HLB); the HLB can be between 1 to 30 or greater. The treatment, in some embodiments, involves coating the particles with another substance such as oxide, carbide, polymer, nitride, metal, boride, halide, salt, sulfate, nitrate, chalcogenides and the like. For example, fatty acids (eg, propionic acid, stearic acid and oils) can be applied to or with the nanoparticles to improve compatibility with the surface. If the powder has an acidic surface, ammonia, quaternary salts or ammonium salts may be applied to the surface to achieve the desired surface pH. In other cases, a wash with acetic acid may be used to achieve the desired state of the surface. Trialkyls and phosphoric acid phosphates can be applied to reduce dusting and chemical activity.

In some embodiments, a solvent composition is heated or cooled prior to, and / or during use to wash or disperse nanomaterials (or fine powders). In certain embodiments, to illustrate, the temperature of the solvent or resin or monomer or polymer composition is maintained at a temperature between -173.15 ° C (100 ° K) to 1226.85 ° C (1500 ° K) at low or high pressures. (with or without the presence of radiation), while processing the nanomaterial and / or formulating a dispersion with the nanomaterial. For the development and systematic manufacture of the dispersion, the particle size distribution, the zeta potential of the dispersion, the pH and the conductivity can be verified and modified using manual or computer controlled instruments. It should be noted that the various modalities discussed herein may be applied in isolation or in combination; when applied in combination, they can be applied in different sequence and order to obtain dispersion and improved products. To illustrate, the nanomaterials can first be treated with heat, then washed with the solvent of the first composition and then dispersed in the solvent of the second composition in one embodiment, while in another embodiment, they can first be washed with the solvent of the first composition, then treated with heat and then dispersed in the solvent of the second composition. They can disperse first and then de-agglomerate in one modality, while in another modality they deagglomerate first and then disperse. Numerous additional combinations of such feasible embodiments of the teachings herein would be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Uses of the dispersions of the nanomaterial In certain embodiments, a paste or concentrate is formed by mixing the fine powder in a solvent composition wherein the charge of the fine powder is greater than 25% by weight, in certain embodiments, greater than 40% by weight , in certain embodiments, greater than 55% by weight, in certain embodiments, greater than 75% by weight; in other embodiments, the Index of Correspondence of the Hansen Interface between the fine powder and the solvent composition used to prepare the concentrate is less than 50, in other embodiments, it is less than 20, in still other embodiments, it is less than 10. , and in other modalities, it is less than 2.5. Broadly, the solvent composition used to prepare the concentrates of the nanomaterial can be any; some non-limiting illustrations include one or more of the following substances, organic solvents, inorganic solvents, aqueous solvents, monomers, polymers, solutions, compositions comprising oxygen, compositions comprising chalcogenides, compositions comprising boron, compositions comprising phosphorus, compositions that comprise halogen, compositions comprising nitrogen, compositions comprising a metal, compositions comprising carbon, metals and molten alloys, molten salts, supercritical fluids, liquids or oils or gels that are synthetic or derived from nature such as agricultural or fish or trees or fruits or seeds or flora or fauna; fluid or fluid-like phase included within range are water, acids, alkalies, organic melts, monomers, polymers, oligomers, biological fluids, ethers, esters, aromatics, alénes, alkenes, alkynes, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones , carboxylic acids, organometallic, terpenoles, acetates, sulfonic acids, emulsions, a mixture of two or more liquid compositions, solutions and the like. The concentrates and pastes of the nanomaterial taught are useful in the preparation of paints, coatings, adhesives, films, tapes, densified parts, composites, devices and other products. The particular utility of such concentrates is for reasons such as the following, (a) nanomaterials have a low apparent bulk density (powder apparent density after vibrating content) and often require large volumes to store and transport them, which increases the costs; The concentrates of the nanomaterial have a significantly higher density density and the concentrates of the nanomaterial therefore need much smaller volumes for storage and transport. The concentrates of the nanomaterial offer density densities that are 3 times the density density of the dry nanomaterials in some modalities (which can reduce the volume of storage and transport required by the concentrate to less than half to store the dry nanomaterial), while that in other modalities, the increase in density is more than 10 times the density density of dry nanomaterials; this significantly reduces logistics costs and reduces the cost of transporting the goods; (b) certain nanomaterials have a tendency to be transported by air or transported by water in a dry form. In certain clean room media, clean media and certain shipping routes, there is a need to find ways to eliminate the risk of certain nanomaterials being transported by air or released into the environment. Concentrates of nanomaterials eliminate this risk because nanomaterials are now contained due to the cohesive forces inherent within the concentrate; (c) nanomaterials can be difficult to add to a processing step or to consolidate; Nanomaterial concentrates are easier and cheaper to process and consolidate into useful devices and products. The nanomaterial concentrate taught in the present offers these and other advantages. To illustrate but not limit, a useful nanomaterial concentrate that is more economical to transport is formed by dispersing the nanomaterial in a solvent composition, wherein the content of the nanomaterial is 60% by weight in certain embodiments. To illustrate again, but not to limit, a concentrate of the useful nanomaterial that is more economical to transport, is formed by dispersing the nanomaterial in a solvent composition, wherein the content of the nanomaterial is at least 60% by weight, and where The solvent composition selected to prepare the concentrate of the nanomaterial has a value of the Index of Correspondence of the Hansen Interiaz less than 7.5, with the nanomaterial. To further illustrate, but not to limit, a useful metal oxide nanosilver concentrate is formed by dispersing the nanomaterial in a liquid composition comprising ketone, wherein the content of the nanomaterial is 30% by weight and wherein the composition comprising the ketone, selected to prepare the concentrate of the nanomaterial has a value of the Index of Correspondence of the Hansen Interface less than 25 with the nanomaterial. To further illustrate, but not to limit, a useful material composition of a non-oxide nano-concentrate concentrate is formed (which is inherently less prone to accidental release to the air) by dispersing the nanomaterial in a liquid composition which comprises ammonia, wherein the content of the nanomaterial is 40% by weight and wherein the composition comprising ammonia selected to prepare the concentrate of the nanomaterial has a value of the Index of Correspondence of the Hansen Interface less than 35 with the nanomaterial. To further illustrate, but not to limit, a useful matter composition of a concentrate of a nanopowder of multiple dielectric metals is formed (which is easier to process into layers of the device), by dispersing the nanomaterial in a solvent composition. comprising oxygen, wherein the content of the nanomaterial is 50% by weight and wherein the composition comprising oxygen, selected to prepare the concentrate of the nanomaterial has a value of the Index of Correspondence of the Hansen Interface less than 10 with the nanomaterial . To further illustrate, but not to limit, a useful matter composition of a concentrate of a high-refractive index chalcogenide nano-powder is formed (which is easier to process in coatings) by dispersing the nanomaterial in a composition comprising a polymer, wherein the content of the nanomaterial is 25% by weight, and wherein the composition comprising the polymer selected to prepare the concentrate of the nanomaterial has a value of the Index of Correspondence of the Hansen Interface less than 35 with the nanomaterial. To further illustrate, but not limit, a useful material composition of a concentrate of a nanopoly of a conductive metal is formed (which is easier to process into electrodes) by dispersing the nanomaterial in a composition comprising an inorganic or UV curable, wherein the content of the nanomaterial is 35% by weight, and wherein the composition comprising the inorganic or UV curable selected to prepare the concentrate of the nanomaterial has a value of the Index of Correspondence of the Hansen Interface less than 15 with the nanomaterial Applications for the dispersions and concentrates provided by this invention include structural components, ceramic parts, ceramic matrix composites, carbon matrix composites, polymer matrix composites, coatings, polishing suspensions, gaskets, polymer seals or composites. An additional application of the teachings herein is functionally graduated parts or components that are dense or porous.

The illustration includes a filter with a gradient of porosity through the thickness. The invention provided herein, has application in the biomedical field, among other fields. For example, the present invention can be applied to produce implant materials, monitors, sensors, drug concentrates, water-soluble polymers, drug delivery devices and nanoscale powder biocatalysts, using the multilayer lamination process for produce three-dimensional shapes. This invention can also be applied to the area of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). Zirconia is one of the materials that has investigated as the solid electrolyte for SOFC. The components of the solid electrolyte can be made by emptying in the form of tape devices with multiple layers of dispersions of a nanomaterial (ie, electrolytes based on the nanomaterial). In addition, nanopowder dispersions made in accordance with the present invention are useful for producing electrical devices such as varistors, inductors, capacitors, batteries, EMI filters, interconnects, resistors, thermistors and arrays of these nano-scale powders. In addition, magnetic components such as GMR giant magnetoresistive devices can be manufactured from a nanoscale powder dispersion produced in accordance with the present invention, as well as in the manufacture of thermoelectric, optical components with a gradient index and optoelectronics of dispersions or concentrates. of nanoscale powders. The teachings in this invention are contemplated to be useful in the preparation of any commercial nanoscale powder product, where performance is important or expensive to produce or desired in large volumes. In addition, fine powder dispersions have numerous applications in industries such as, but not limited to, biomedical, pharmaceutical, sensor, electronic, telecommunications, optical, electrical, photonic, thermal, piezo, magnetic, catalytic and electrochemical products. Table I presents a few exemplary non-limiting applications of nanomaterial dispersions.

TABLE 1 Abrasives, Polishing media Aluminum silicate, zirconium silicates, alumina, ceria, zirconia, copper oxide, tin oxide, zinc oxide, multiple metal oxides, silicon carbide, boron carbide, diamond, tungsten carbide, nitrides, titania Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the specification or practice of the invention described herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the claims.

Claims (16)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A composition of matter comprising a dispersion concentration of a nanomaterial and a solvent composition, wherein the density density of the concentrated dispersion is at least three times higher than the density density of the nanomaterial in dry form, where the concentrate requires less volume to store and transport it with respect to that required for the dry nanomaterial, and wherein the charge of the nanomaterial in the concentrated dispersion is at least 40% by weight.

2. - The composition of matter according to claim 1, further characterized in that the nanomaterial is an oxide.

3. The composition of matter according to claim 1, further characterized by the nanomaterial in a metal.

4. The composition of matter according to claim 1, further characterized in that the nanomaterial is not an oxide.

5. The composition of matter according to claim 1, further characterized in that the solvent composition comprises an organic solvent.

6. - The composition of matter according to claim 1, further characterized in that the solvent composition comprises an inorganic solvent.

7. - The composition of matter according to claim 1, further characterized in that the charge of the nanomaterial in the concentrated dispersion is at least 60% by weight.

8. - A product prepared using the composition of matter according to claim 1.

9. - A method for preparing a composition of matter comprising providing a nanomaterial, providing a solvent composition comprising one or more of a substance selected from the group consisting of organic solvents, inorganic solvents, aqueous solvents, monomers, polymers, solutions, compositions comprising oxygen, compositions comprising chalcogenides, compositions comprising boron, compositions comprising phosphorus, compositions comprising halogen, compositions comprising nitrogen, compositions comprising a metal, compositions comprising carbon, metals and molten alloys and molten salts, dispersing the nanomaterial in the solvent composition thereby forming a dispersion, and wherein the solvent composition is selected so that the rate of correspondence of the interf Hansen's az between the nanomaterial and the solvent composition is less than 20.

10. The method according to claim 9, further characterized in that the solvent composition comprises two or more substances selected from the group consisting of organic solvents, solvents inorganic solvents, aqueous solvents, monomers, polymers, solutions, compositions comprising oxygen, compositions comprising chalcogenides, compositions comprising boron, compositions comprising phosphorus, compositions comprising halogen, compositions comprising nitrogen, compositions comprising a metal, compositions comprising carbon, metals and molten alloys and molten salts.

11. The method according to claim 9, further characterized in that the d99 of the dispersion, measured by means of photo-correlation spectroscopy, is less than 500 nanometers.

12. The method according to claim 9, further characterized in that the d99 of the dispersion, measured by means of photo-correlation spectroscopy, is less than 250 nanometers.

13. The method according to claim 9, further characterized in that the d99 of the dispersion, measured by means of photo-correlation spectroscopy, is less than 100 nanometers.

14. - The method according to claim 9, further characterized in that the d99 of the dispersion, measured by photocorrelation spectroscopy is less than 50 nanometers.

15. - The method according to claim 9, further characterized in that the nanomaterial is washed with a solvent before forming the dispersion.

16. - A method for preparing a composition of matter comprising providing a nanomaterial, providing a solvent composition comprising one or more of a substance from the group consisting of water, methanol, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, octane, dodecane, heptane, hexane, acetone, gasoline, DOWANOL® solvents, glycols, glycerol, phenol, acetates, polyurethanes, acrylates, epoxies, aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, ethers, acids, amines, quaternary compounds, alkalis, terpenoles, liquids with a boiling point higher than 126.85 ° C (400 ° K), UV curable liquids, plasma curable liquids, heat curable liquids, ionic liquids, molten polymers, molten metals, monomers, oils, silicones, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, ethanolamine, formic acid, acetonitrile, 1-propyl alcohol, acetic acid, 2 ethoxyethanol, anhydrous isopropanol, DMSO, 1-butyl alcohol, tetrahydrofuryl alcohol,?,? -dimethyl acetamide, diacetone alcohol, 2-methyl butanol, n-pentanol, acetone, 2- (2-butoxy ethoxy) ethanol, UCAR® Filmer TBT, cellosolve acetate, metotate, isophorone, methyl ethyl ketone, tetrahydrofuran, aniline, pyridine, methyl n-propyl ketone, UCAR® Ester EEP, UCAR® n-propyl propionate , primary amyl acetate, methyl isobutyl ketone, isobutyl acetate, n-butyl UCAR® propionate, n-butyl acetate, methyl isoamyl ketone, diisobutyl ketone, chloroform, 4-dioxane, trichloroethane, hydrochlorocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons, xylene , toluene, benzene, cyclohexane, hexane, carbon disulfide, carbon tetrachloride, methylene chloride, dimethylene chloride, n-butyl glycolate, glycolic acid, methyl glycolate, ethyl lactate, ethyl glycolate, ethylenediamine, butyrolactone, n-octanol, iso-octanol, gasoline, diesel, kerosene, jet fuel, m-cresol, phenol, biofluids, plant sap, alphahydroxy compounds, sea water, mineral oils, milk, fruit juices, plant-derived oils , oils or extracts derived from seeds, dispersing the nanomaterial in the solvent composition, thereby forming a dispersion, and wherein the solvent composition is selected such that the index of Hansen interface correspondence between the nanomaterial and the solvent composition is less than fifty.