Metal oxide nanoparticles (np's) have direct application in the pharmaceutical, food, medicine, electrochemical and catalytic industries. Mixed metal oxide np's are known to form pseudo-solid shear thinning gels at low concentrations. The hydroxyl groups on the surface of the np's is known to form stable aqueous dispersions which of great importance for forming gel network systems. Fundamental characterization of such systems is imperative due to their application as viscosity adjusters, catalyst supports, fillers, pigments and more. This paper highlights the efforts underway at University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University in using transmission electron microscopy, small-angle x-ray scattering, and acoustic techniques for particle characterization for specific application in the catalytic and electrochemical industries. This work explores the morphology, particle size distribution, and stability of these systems at various pH's and solid concentrations. This work also utilizes several mixed metal oxide systems such as alumina, titania and silica and is coupled with optical techniques to characterize the gel network systems. The particle size measurements using various analytical techniques will lead to fundamental characterization of these complex systems that will lead to enhanced diffusional control in catalytic systems.

Pseudo-solid, shear-thinning gel formation in binary dispersions of metal oxide nanoparticles at low volume fractions

248th National Meeting (2014)

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