Process Technology of Nanomaterials

Course content

After completion of this module, the students possess comprehensive knowledge about nano-materials and their process technologies for engineering of nanomaterials: They are able to define different categories of nanomaterials and nanoparticles, and explain the properties and benefits of nanomaterials for various applications. The students are capable of describing different production processes (specifically comminution, gas- and liquid-phase synthesis) and applying optimizations to these processes.

Lecture and exercise: Introduction into the world of nanomaterials (types, structures, applications)

• Fundamentals: size distributions, morphology, surface properties, stability, composition, properties of nanomaterials (size and surface effects, intrinsic properties),
• Characterization of nanomaterials, fabrication methods (comminution, pyrolysis, plasma techniques, precipitation, sol-gel, nonaqueous syntheses) and engineering aspects about these methods, stabilization of nanoparticles (mechanisms, experimental realization, characterization techniques, chemical fundamentals), functionalization of nanoparticles (customizing particle properties, phase transition, intelligent functionalization), application of nanomaterials (established applications as well as envisioned future applications), risks and toxicology of nanomaterials,
• Special aspects of nanomaterials.

Lab course: Students deepen the knowledge acquired in the lecture in practical laboratory experi-ments in small groups.

• Nanoparticle synthesis with precipitation, reduction and microemulsion methods
• Chemical modification and colloidal stabilization of nanoparticles
• Sol-gel-methods for material synthesis
• Nanocomposites and thin films
• Analysis and characterization of nanomaterials