Efficient dispersants for the dispersion of gallium zinc oxide nanopowder in aqueous suspensions

Appropriate dispersants for the dispersion of gallium zinc oxide (GZO) nanopowder in aqueous suspensions were identified in this study. The dispersion efficiencies and stabilization mechanisms of water‐based dispersants ammonium poly(acrylic acid) (PAA–NH₄), an anionic polyelectrolyte, and polyethylenimine (PEI), a cationic polyelectrolyte, were compared. The experimental analyses of rheology and sedimentation showed that both PAA–NH₄ and PEI were good dispersants for the dispersion of GZO. Theoretical calculations based on Derjaguin‐Landau‐Verwey‐Overbeek theory revealed that the stabilization mechanism of PEI was mainly related to the steric effect, and a very low molecular weight of 1800 g/mol was insufficient for powder stabilization. GZO was well dispersed by PEI with high molecular weight of 10 000 g/mol, but agglomeration occurred when too much PEI was added. Compared with PEI, PAA–NH₄ was more efficient because of its high contribution to the increase in electrostatic repulsion. Based on theoretical considerations on both steric and electrostatic effects, namely, the electrosteric stabilization mechanism, PAA–NH₄ is optimal for the dispersion of GZO nanopowder in aqueous suspensions.     

Poly(methacrylate)‐derived diblock dispersant for TiO2 in aqueous suspensions

In this paper, we propose a newly designed dispersant, ammonium poly(methacrylate)‐block‐poly(2‐phenoxyethyl acrylate) (PMA‐b‐PBEA), and our rheological and zeta potential test results verify its superior dispersion efficiency for aqueous suspensions in comparison to the commercial dispersant ammonium polyacrylate (PAA‐NH₄). The extremely high dispersion efficiency of PMA‐b‐PBEA correlates closely to its diblock structure, which simultaneously exhibits a less polar anchoring head group and a water‐dissociable stabilizing moiety. The unique structure of PMA‐b‐PBEA accounts for its high powder adsorption effectiveness, which is demonstrated in its adsorption capability being double that of PAA‐NH₄.     

Preparation and application of aluminum‐doped zinc oxide powders via precipitation and plasma processing method

Aluminum‐doped zinc oxide (AZO) conductive powders were successfully obtained through an attractive method based on the pyrolysis of coprecipitated precursors in arc plasma processing. The as‐prepared powders were characterized by the x‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and UV‐vis spectrum. The results reveal that Al atoms are doped into ZnO lattice successfully and all the samples are polycrystalline with a hexagonal wurtzite structure. Moreover, the particle size of aluminum doped zinc oxide prepared from the plasma pyrolysis was smaller than conventional thermal calcination. Afterward, the synthesized powders were reinforced into polypropylene (PP) matrix and the dispersion of the AZO filler in the PP matrix was observed by SEM. In addition, the effect of AZO concentrations on the electrical and mechanical properties of PP composites was investigated via resistance measurement, tensile and impact tests, respectively. The results show that the electrical and mechanical properties depend on the concentration and dispersion of AZO nanoparticles in the matrix. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41990.     

Dispersion and Grinding of Oxide Powders into an Aqueous Slurry

The present paper deals with a comprehensive analysis of the dispersion behavior of oxide powders to determine accurate conditions for mixing and grinding dense slurries without the use of steric dispersing agents. The experimental support of the work was the synthesis of (Zr,Sn)TiO₄ microwave dielectric ceramics by the solid-state reaction of raw materials mixed and ground by attrition milling. Zeta potential measurements were performed on the raw materials versus pH to determine the optimum pH of the slurry, allowing a good dispersion of all the species: the absolute value of the zeta potential of every powder >20 mV, with all potentials having the same sign. During the grinding process, as the surface of the materials increases due to the breakup of the grains, surface reaction occurs with the dispersion liquid, and pH must be continuously adjusted to be maintained at an adequate level. We have correlated these characterizations of the optimal processing conditions with the rheological behavior of the slurries, thus providing an analysis of the flocculated or deflocculated state. When applied to synthesizing (Zr,Sn)TiO₄ microwave dielectric ceramics, these conclusions made it possible to produce reproducible resonators with a k = 37 dielectric constant and characterized by a quality factor, Q × F > 60 000 GHz measured at 3 GHz, the highest value reported for this composition.     

Aqueous Processing and Stabilization of Manganese Zinc Ferrite Powders via a Passivation–Dispersion Approach

A dispersion scheme for aqueous processing of manganese zinc ferrite suspensions is presented. The addition of oxalic acid leads to the formation of a uniform negative charge on the surface such that a cationic polyelectrolyte, polyethyleneimine (PEI), adsorbs and provides electrosteric dispersion. At 0.5 w/w (weight percent with respect to the dry powder) oxalic acid addition, there is a relatively uniform negative surface charge (approximately −30 mV) within the suspension pH range investigated (3–10), eliminating the isoelectric point (pH ∼7.6) present for the as-received metal oxide powder. At the addition of 0.5 w/w PEI on an oxalate-treated surface, the surface charge is constant and positive (∼20 mV) through a wide pH range, ∼5–10. The resulting rheological data for passivation–dispersion of relatively high-solids manganese zinc ferrite suspensions (∼80 wt%) demonstrate improved colloid stability with improved rheological properties. The resulting apparent viscosity and Bingham yield point is 0.01 Pa·s (12.0 cP) and 0.24 Pa (2.4 dynes/cm²), respectively. A sulfonated napthalene-based dispersant, typically used in industry, gives an apparent viscosity and Bingham yield point of 0.03 Pa·s (32 cP) and 3.1 Pa (31 dynes/cm²), respectively.     

Weakly Flocculated Aqueous Alumina Suspensions Prepared by the Addition of Mg(II) Ions

Well-dispersed aqueous alumina suspensions were prepared at an inherent pH via the addition of an anionic dispersant. With the addition of an appropriate amount of magnesium acetate to such a suspension, the surface charge of the particles was neutralized, which was reflected in the destabilization of the slurry. Because of the formation of coordinative bonds between the Mg ion and the two dissociated carboxylic groups of the dispersant, a thin neutral layer was formed on the surface of the particles, which established a nontouching particle network and resulted in a weakly flocculated suspension.     

Dispersion and densification of nano Si–(Al)–C powder with amorphous/nanocrystalline bimodal microstructure

The dispersion behavior and densification of nano Si–(Al)–C powder with amorphous/nanocrystalline bimodal microstructure were investigated. The Si–C powders synthesized by a mechanical alloying (MA) process had a near‐spherical shape with an average particle size of 170 nm. A solid loading of 62 vol% was achieved using polyethyleneimine (PEI) as a dispersant. The optimum dispersant amount was 1 wt% based on zeta potential, sedimentation, and viscosity analysis data. The high zeta potential value (73 mV) compared with that of the commercially available SiC (65 mV) was caused by modified surface properties and consequent promotion of the cationic dispersant adsorption. A Si–Al–C slurry containing 6.5 wt% of sintering additives with a solid loading of 60 vol% was also prepared. The relative density of the dried Si–Al–C slurry was 63.3% without additional compaction, which could be densified at 1650°C at a pressure of 20 MPa using a spark plasma sintering furnace.     

Transparent alumina ceramics: Effect of standard and plasma generated stabilizing approaches in colloidal processing

The study is focused on an optimization of the slip-casting process used for the fabrication of the transparent/translucent alumina ceramics; more precisely, on specifying the most appropriate way to stabilize the cast alumina suspensions. An innovative method of the particles’ stabilization by plasma treatment was compared with the classical electrostatic and the most frequently used electrosteric approach. Properties of green bodies (pore size distribution, density) and sintered samples (density, mean grain size, real in-line transmittance) were measured in term to evaluate the impact of the individual stabilization mechanism on the final properties of the transparent/translucent ceramics. The results showed that all tested approaches enable the preparation of the transparent/translucent alumina ceramics by Hot Isostatic Pressing. Ceramics prepared from the plasma treated as well as the electrostatically stabilized powders exhibited narrower pore size distribution, higher density, and lower mean grain size in comparison to ceramics fabricated from only electrosterically stabilized powders. Despite these promising properties the plasma-treated samples resulted in an unexpectedly low RIT of 36% caused by the presence of thin cracks. However, the electrostatically stabilized samples achieved the highest RIT value of 57%.     

Dispersion and properties of zirconia suspensions for stereolithography

Stereolithography is an attractive technique for the fabrication of complex-shaped ceramic components with high dimensional accuracy. One of the challenges in this technology is the development of high solid loading, low viscosity photosensitive ceramic suspension. In this study, the dispersion of zirconia in photocurable resin and the slurry properties were intensively investigated. Rheological measurements showed that DISPERBYK-103 proved to be an effective dispersant. 42 vol% ZrO₂ suspension was successfully prepared using 3.5 wt% DISPERBYK-103 as the dispersant, with a suitable viscosity (4.88 Pa·s) below the maximum allowable viscosity value (5 Pa·s) for stereolithography applications. The adsorption behavior of DISPERBYK-103 on the surface of zirconia powders was characterized by TG and FT-IR, confirming the dispersion effect of dispersant. Contact angle measurements were also conducted to show that the adsorption of DISPERBYK-103 could help to improve the wettability between powder and photocurable resin. Results showed that DISPERBYK-103 was effective for the preparation of suitable slurries for the development of ZrO₂ ceramics through stereolithography.     

Systematic Approach for Dispersion of Silicon Nitride Powder in Organic Media: II, Dispersion of the Powder

A novel dispersant—O-(2-aminopropyl)-O'-(2-methoxyethyl)-polypropylene glycol (AMPG)—was developed to disperse submicrometer-sized Si₃N₄ powder in nonaqueous media, based on the surface chemistry of the powder. The dispersing phenomena and mechanisms have been studied systematically, both in model systems (using atomic force microscopy and ellipsometry) and in powder systems (using rheological behavior and adsorption isotherms). The results from the model systems correlated well with those from wet powder systems. It is demonstrated that highly concentrated (with a solids volume fraction of >0.50) and colloidally stable nonaqueous Si₃N₄ suspensions can be realized using AMPG.     

Influence of Impurities on Dispersion Properties of Bayer Alumina

Among the different impurities contained in Bayer alumina (Ca, Fe, Na, Si, Mg), calcium was found to greatly influence the dispersion of alumina particles in water. Up to 90% of calcium is dissolved at acidic pH, whereas calcium remains on the alumina surface in the basic pH range and screens the negative Al–O⁻ charges. The presence of calcium, through reducing repulsive interactions between particles, has a negative effect on the dispersion of alumina. The adsorption of the Na⁺ salt of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA-Na) is strongly influenced by Ca²⁺/PAA-Na interactions in suspension with an increase of the maximum adsorbed amount of PAA-Na in the presence of calcium. The amount of PAA-Na needed to reach a high electrostatic repulsion and a minimum of viscosity is 2 times higher in the presence of 400 pm calcium than for a low calcium content (∼80 ppm). Finally, with an appropriate amount of PAA-Na, a similar state of dispersion can be reached with or without the presence of calcium.     

Double Injection Synthesis and Dispersion of Submicrometer Barium Titanyl Oxalate Tetrahydrate

A modified Clabaugh method has been used to produce a well-dispersed barium titanyl oxalate tetrahydrate (BTO) powder with a particle size of less than 0.2 μm. Production of the BTO powder is based on a double injection system, with reactants rapidly mixed using pressurized gas. The mixture resulting from the double injection of the reactants was subsequently quenched into a solution containing polyethyleneimine as a dispersant. The resulting dispersed BTO powder forms a suspension that is stable against coarsening or aggregation for greater than 1400 h. The dispersed BTO powder was also shown to produce BaTiO₃ with a particle size of 0.25 μm or less after calcination.     

Dispersion and Slip Casting of Hydroxyapatite

The dispersibility in deionized water of hydroxyapatite (HA) synthesized by a high-temperature (1000°C) solid-state reaction between tricalcium phosphate and calcium hydroxide was investigated as a function of the pH of the medium and the quantity of two dispersing agents (A = inorganic, B = organic) added to the slips. Although pH modification had a negligible effect on dispersibility, both of the dispersing agents produced a good dispersion at considerably higher concentrations (>2 wt% of HA). At optimum amounts (2–4 wt%) of the dispersing agents, the slips showed near-Newtonian flow behavior up to 45 wt% solids loading and non-Newtonian behavior at >50 wt%. By the optimal addition of dispersing agents and conditioning by ball milling, 60–67 wt% (32–39 vol%) solids-loaded HA slips could be cast into plaster molds to produce 50%–58% dense green bodies, which, in turn, sintered to 90%–94% density in the temperature range 1300°–1400°C. The sintered HA exhibited a three-point flexural strength of 40–60 MPa and a homogeneous microstructure, with interspersed microporosities.     

Preparation of Hydroxyapatite Lathlike Particles Using High-Speed Dispersing Equipment

Hydroxyapatite lathlike monocrystalline particles were prepared using high-energy dispersing equipment in combination with a pH shock-wave method. The Ca/P atomic ratios were very close to theoretical, and the acidic group content was very small. The particles were nonporous, with anisotropic crystal growth and average grain size ∼140–1300 nm in length, ∼20–100 nm in width, and ∼10–40 nm in thickness. The high-speed dispersing equipment created the proper hydrodynamic conditions for lathlike particle growth in the [001] direction. The hydroxyapatite particles formed aggregates of 1–5 μm average diameter.     

Suspension polymerization of aniline hydrochloride in non‐aqueous media

The oxidation of aniline hydrochloride by ammonium peroxydisulfate in non‐aqueous media was studied, when the monomer or oxidant or both were not completely soluble. Polyaniline was formed in acetone, methanol and toluene. Aniline oligomers only were produced in chloroform and n‐butylacetate. No interaction of the monomer and the oxidant was observed in dimethylsulfoxide and N‐methylpyrrolidone. UV‐visible and Fourier transform infrared spectra were recorded in order to study the molecular structure of the final products. Conductivity was measured for conducting protonated forms and corresponding bases. An explanation of aniline hydrochloride oxidation in various organic media is offered. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Influence of a Dispersion of Aluminum Titanate Particles of Controlled Size on the Thermal Shock Resistance of Alumina

The possibility of developing fine-grained (∼0.5–3 μm) and dense (≥0.98ρ_th) alumina (90 vol%)–aluminum titanate (10 vol%) composites with improved thermal shock resistance and maintained strength is investigated. One alumina material and one composite with similar microstructures (porosity and grain-size distribution) were fabricated to investigate the effect of Al₂TiO₅ on thermal shock behavior. The size of the Al₂TiO₅ particles was kept under 2.2 μm to avoid spontaneous microcracking. The mechanical and thermal properties of the materials involved in their response to thermal shock and the results for the evolution of indentation cracks of equal initial crack length with increasing Δ T in samples quenched in glycerine are described. The combination of thermal and mechanical properties—thermal conductivity, thermal expansion coefficient, Young's modulus, and toughness—improve the thermal shock resistance of the alumina–aluminum titanate composite in terms of critical temperature increment (>30%). The suitable structural properties of alumina—hardness and strength—are maintained.     

Spray-combustion synthesis of indium tin oxide nanopowder

Nanocrystalline indium tin oxide (ITO) powders were prepared by a novel spray combustion method. Using single-drop study equipment, we studied the thermodynamics of the combustion reaction. The reaction can be ignited at air temperature as lower as 171.3°C when using urea and glucose as composite fuel. Once the reaction is ignited, the combustion temperature can surge to above 500°C, generating nanocrystalline ITO powders with grain size about 40 nm. Footages from high-speed camera demonstrated that the reaction is in three-step: moderate beginning, violent middle, and decaying end. It is also noticed that the ignition is very sensitive to the air temperature, even 0.2°C minus deviation may fail the combustion. The combustion reaction is self-sustainable, which saves the energy supply. And the low ignition temperature means the combustion reaction can be carried out in a conventional spray dryer. Our results provide a feasible way to mass production of nanocrystalline ITO powders, which as a methodology, may be extended to the production of other oxide nanopowders.     

Horizontal Dip‐Spin Casting of aqueous alumina‐polyvinylpyrrolidone suspensions with chopped fiber

A novel ceramic processing method, called Horizontal Dip Spin Casting (HDSC), enabled fabrication of tubular ceramic parts with an aligned chopped fiber phase. HDSC was demonstrated using highly loaded aqueous alumina suspensions with >50 vol.% solids loading and ≤5 vol.% water‐soluble polymer employed as a rheological modifier. Chopped carbon fibers were added to the suspensions to attain maximum loadings of 30 vol.%. During forming, cylindrical foam molds were dipped into the suspension while being rotated radially about the long axis. Simultaneously, a doctor blade was placed at a specified distance from the foam surface to facilitate the flow of the suspension to align the fiber and control the thickness of the material that accrued on the mold. Rheological study of alumina‐PVP suspensions with and without chopped carbon fiber showed that the suspensions exhibited a yield‐pseudoplastic flow behavior. The degree of alignment of the carbon fiber phase in the green bodies was characterized for various suspension formulations, carbon fiber contents and forming speeds. Stereological characterization of green body specimens confirmed the effectiveness of HDSC to attain the desired tubular geometry with considerable fiber alignment for a suspension composition containing ≤20 vol.% chopped fibers.     

Selectivity of Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic TiO2 for Organic‐Based Dispersants

The effects of the surface chemistry of TiO₂ powders on the dispersion performance of various dispersants are studied. Four common dispersants (oleic acid, oleylamine, oleyl phosphate, and tris‐(2‐butoxyethyl) phosphate) with different functional groups (carboxyl (–COOH), amino (–NH₂), phosphate (–P(=O)(OH)₂), and –P(=O)) are investigated for their potential to disperse hydrophilic and hydrophobic titania (TiO₂) powders. The outcomes, based on adsorption kinetics, adsorption isotherms, rheologies, and theoretical calculations, indicate that the hydrophilic TiO₂ is more sensitive to the chemistry of dispersants as compared to the hydrophobic TiO₂. However, the relative dispersion efficiencies of the dispersants are not found relevant to the adsorption kinetics, which is dominated by the adsorption amount. In addition, hydrogen bonding between –OH groups of the phosphate‐based dispersants dominates their dispersion ability for TiO₂.