Advanced Nano’s MCP™ technology is unique and well differentiated from all existing nanopowder production processes. The nanopowders are formed by a solid-state reaction, which allows excellent control over the performance critical characteristics of

• particle size
• particle size distribution
• dispersibility

Competitive technologies can be broadly categorised into those using traditional “top-down” approaches such as milling, and the newer “bottom-up” approaches which involve the controlled nucleation and growth of particles into either a gas or liquid phase by vapourisation/condensation or precipitation, respectively.

While existing techniques can achieve nanosize crystallites, industrial scale manufacture of powders using these technologies has proved difficult or uneconomical due to the high levels of agglomeration that occur in the process.

The ability to manufacture dispersed nanoparticles with a mean particle sizes less than 30 nm and a narrow particle size distribution is crucial to most applications of nanopowders.

Dispersion Technology

High quality, true nano dispersions are critical to the nanopowder market, as even minor levels of agglomeration severely affect the properties of the finished product. Advanced Nano has developed proprietary downstream processing techniques which allow the MCP nanopowders to be dispersed into a variety of organic matrices.

Advanced Nano’s proprietary process renders the nanoparticle surface hydrophobic by applying a polymeric coating. Particles with modified surface chemistry are easily dispersed in most organic media, up to concentrations of 60wt%.

Highest Transparency

A simple method for assessing particle size and the quality of nanopowder dispersions is by measurement of transmittance. The transmittance of a dispersion to visible light is very sensitive to particle size below 50 nm and particle agglomeration. Transmittance measurements are widely used by industry to evaluate cosmetic or coating clarity. As shown in the figure below, the visible light transmittance of Advanced Nano’s MCP 30 nm zinc oxide dispersion is more than twice that of competing products. A good UV selective absorbing coating will have a very low transmittance (high absorption) to UV radiation (290-400nm), as also illustrated in the figure below. The uniformly low transmittance to UV radiation makes zinc oxide an ideal broad spectrum UV blocker.

Transmittance curves showing superiority of MCP™ 30nm zinc oxide.

Unique Morphologies

Varying the MCP chemistry can produce different particle shapes. These shapes offer the possibility of new and exciting applications. Some examples are shown below.

Alumina Plates		Ceria Cubes		Ceria Rods		Zirconia Rods