Nano-particle Characterisation: Case Study of nano-alumina

Nano-materials can now be purchased commercially from a range of suppliers.  They can be expensive to buy and a relevant question is, is the material as expected and will it produce the required effect.  MSG has used a range of techniques to characterise commercially-available dispersions of nano-particles. One such study, perhaps the most surprising, is described here.

The material obtained commercially was said to be alumina (Al2O3) and the nominal data on its composition and particle size is given below

Overall Conclusion

Buying nano-materials is expensive and it is important to know that they meet the specification demanded.  The aim of this work had been to apply a range of techniques available within Intertek MSG to the analysis of an apparently simple nano-dispersion of alumina. The discovery that the material supplied is in fact not pure oxide was a surprise but underlines the necessity for detailed analysis. The fact that the dispersion also contains particles with sizes significantly greater than 50 nm reinforces this conclusion. 

For full details of the work (PCCS, laser diffraction, XRD, STEM) see the downloadable file available soon.