| Controlling the Interparticle Forces of Nanoparticles Using Atomic Layer Deposition | ||
| Luis F. Hakim, University of Colorado at Boulder, 1111 Engineering Drive ECCH 111 UCB 424, Boulder, CO 80309, Steven M. George, Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado at Boulder, Ekeley W145B, Boulder, CO 80309 and Alan W. Weimer, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, 1111 Engineering Drive, Boulder, CO 80309-0424 The adhesive London-van der Waals forces between primary ceramic nanoparticles are modified by coating the nanoparticles with ultrathin alumina films using Atomic Layer Deposition. The deposited alumina films are extremely conformal and uniform. An Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) with a chemically modified tip is utilized to measure adhesive interactions between reference substrates and nanoparticles before and after coating. Various ceramic nanoparticles (Titania, Silica and Zirconia) were nanocoated in a fluidized-bed reactor at low pressure and under mechanical vibration. The average growth rate of film is only 1.1 Angstroms per coating cycle. The improved dispersion, fluidization and flowability of coated particles are also tested. Extended Abstract Status: File Uploaded | ||