Module 4: Processing and properties of inorganic nanomaterials (SOMS5400)

This module should provide an understanding of the principles governing a range of preparative techniques and their capabilities for the production of discrete nanoparticles and bulk nanocrystalline and nanocomposite inorganic materials.

Upon successful completion of this module, students should be able to apply the physical principles underlying microstructural control on the nanometre scale to design an appropriate synthesis route for inorganic nanomaterials.

Outline syllabus

• Introduction to phase transformations and microstructural control on the nanometre scale.
• Production techniques for inorganic nanoparticles and nanomaterials.
• Microstructural stability in nanomaterials.
• Chemical and mechanical properties of inorganic nanomaterials and microstructure-property relationships.
• Case studies in controlled synthesis.

Phase transformations

• Elements of a phase transformation: thermodynamics, kinetics and morphology.
• Diffusion: mechanisms and diffusion coefficients in gases, liquids and solids.
• First order transformations: nucleation and growth from the vapour, liquid and solid states; morphological control in first order transformations.
• Second order transformations: mechanism and applications of spinodal decomposition.

Production techniques

Nanoparticles:

• Production in gas and liquid phases.

Bulk nanocrystalline/nanocomposite materials:

• Consolidation of nanoparticles.
• Vapour deposition.
• Decomposition of supersaturated solid solutions.
• Controlled crystallisation of glasses.
• Sol-gel processing.
• Mechanical alloying and mechanical milling.

Nanoporous materials.

Chemical and mechanical properties

Chemical properties

• Catalysis.
• Corrosion.

Mechanical properties

• Principles, properties and their measurement in traditional and nanostructured materials.
• Metallic nanomaterials.
• Ceramic nanomaterials.
• Nanocomposites.

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