Nanoceramics have gained significant attention in the scientific community due to their diverse properties and enhanced efficiency compared to traditional materials.1 Their exceptional physical, chemical, and mechanical characteristics, largely attributed to their small particle size, have driven their widespread application across various fields.2
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Nanoceramics: An Overview
Nanoceramics consist of ceramic materials composed of structural microscopic units, with at least one dimension in the nanoscale range (less than 100 nm). These structural units may include nanoparticles, nanotubes, nanorods, or nanoscale thin films.3
Nanoceramics have superior mechanical properties, such as high strength, excellent toughness, and fatigue resistance.4 The sol-gel process is a key method for creating nanostructured ceramic materials, enabling the development of advanced materials with tailored properties for various applications.5
This process involves controlled hydrolysis and polycondensation of silica and alkoxides, resulting in nanoscale particles that form a nanoporous network after gelation. Depending on the aging and drying conditions, the process can yield either dense ceramic composites or nanoporous materials.5
Despite challenges like poor ductility and machinability, nanoceramics' magnetoresistivity, fracture toughness, electro-optical capabilities, and piezoelectric properties make them suitable for a wide range of applications.
Medical Applications of Nanoceramics
The use of nanotechnology in regenerative medicine has been extensively explored, particularly in nanofiber scaffolding and the modification of nanotopography in nanoparticles and scaffolds. Nanoceramics are among the most widely utilized advanced materials used in biomedical applications.
Bioactive glass nanoceramics (n-BGC), for example, exhibit superior osteointegration properties, making them highly effective for implants. Their topographical features and surface chemistry promote bone healing by facilitating extracellular matrix (ECM) secretion at injury sites. Additionally, nanoceramics with smaller pore structures facilitate osteochondral formation.6
Bioresorbable nanoceramics, primarily based on calcium phosphate (CaP), are widely used in medical applications. These nanoceramics can be shaped to fit different needs and release calcium and phosphate ions in biological fluids, regulating osteogenic cell functions. Doping these materials with ions like Mg²⁺ further enhances osteogenesis and remodeling by reducing crystallinity.7
Additionally, bio-inert nanoceramics, including materials based on titanium, alumina, and zirconia, are valued for their bio-inertness, fracture toughness, and high mechanical strength in biological environments. Titanium and its alloys are particularly significant in bone tissue reconstruction due to their excellent corrosion resistance.
A specialized form of nanoceramics, zirconia–yttria ceramics, also known as Tetragonal Zirconia Polycrystals (TZP) or Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), is crucial in bone tissue engineering. These materials are widely used as artificial bone fillers in dental crowns, prostheses, joint heads for knees and hips, tibial plates, and temporary supports.8
These nanoceramics are also significant in tissue engineering, bioimaging, and drug delivery, where their structure and chemistry can be customized to control degradation rates, matching the pace of tissue growth. Often, these materials are combined with polymers to create nanocomposites with enhanced mechanical properties and improved biological performance.
Applications of Nanoceramics in Electronics
Nanoceramics play a critical role in the electronics industry, particularly in dielectric capacitors used in power distribution, medical equipment, hybrid electric vehicles, and other applications. Their exceptional dielectric properties make them ideal for this field.
Researchers recently developed dense BaTiO3@FeO nanoceramics at low temperatures, maintaining nanoscale grain sizes (approximately 70 nm) by coating the FeO layer. These materials showed stable performance across 10Hz to 1MHz, a high dielectric constant in the inner tetragonal core, and low dielectric loss across a wide temperature range. These attributes make nanoceramics an ideal choice for modern electronics.9
Aerospace Applications of Nanoceramics
Nanoceramic matrix composites are characterized by low thermal conductivity, high hardness, and resistance to extreme temperatures and corrosion. These properties make them suitable for use in transportation, including wearing parts, fuel cells, and lightweight components.
Nanoceramic-reinforced composites are increasingly utilized in military and commercial aircraft and have been employed in space shuttles. They are also used in thermal protection systems for rocket exhaust cones, engine components, ceramic coatings, and insulating tiles on space shuttles.
Nanoceramics are also favored for manufacturing aircraft wings, cabins, and engines and are commonly used in fuel line assemblies, gas turbine engine seals, cutting tool inserts, heat exchanger tubes, and thermocouples.
The integration of ceramics into jet engines and turbines boosts efficiency due to their lighter weight and superior thermal properties. Ceramic composites in jet engines have shown a 15 % increase in fuel savings compared to traditional nickel-based alloys, making them a promising alternative for commercial aircraft engines.10
Nanoceramics for Environmental Preservation
Water pollution is a significant global challenge, and the scarcity of safe drinking water is a growing concern, especially in developing regions where traditional filtration methods are becoming less effective. Researchers have found that nanoceramics offer an efficient solution for water filtration due to their strong antibacterial properties.
Recently, a cost-effective silver-embedded nanoceramic water purifier was developed using clay, rice husk, and silver nitrate. Tests against E. coli showed a substantial reduction in bacterial colonies after treatment with the nanoceramic material—only two colonies on the 10² plate and one on the 10³ plate, compared to numerous colonies on the control plates. This confirms the antibacterial effectiveness of the nanoceramic purifier and its potential to reduce environmental pollution.11
Future Outlook for Nanoceramics
The future of nanoceramics is promising, with ongoing research focused on enhancing their functionality and developing novel types.
For example, transparent nanoceramics represent a new class of materials with diverse compositions and properties tailored for various applications.12 These materials are primarily prepared using nanopowders through various methods.
However, research into the biocompatibility of transparent nanoceramics is still in its early stages, and significant progress is needed before they can be widely adopted in clinical practice. Future research will focus on enhancing the compatibility and degradability of nanoceramic particles with blood tissue.
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References and Further Reading
[1] Shashikumar, U., et. al. (2023). Nanoceramics: Fabrication, properties and its applications towards the energy sector. Fuel. doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2022.126829
[2] Pauline, SA. (2021). Nanoceramics: Synthesis, Characterizations and Applications. Nanomaterials and Their Biomedical Applications. doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-6252-9_5
[3] Van der Biest, O. (2013). Nanoceramics: issues and opportunities. International Journal of Applied Ceramic Technology. doi.org/10.1111/ijac.12074
[4] Zhou, C., et al. (2015). Synthesis, sintering and characterization of porous nano-structured CaP bioceramics prepared by a two-step sintering method. Ceramics International. doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2014.12.018
[5] Vunain, E., et al. (2017). Nanoceramics: Fundamentals and Advanced Perspectives. Sol-gel Based Nanoceramic Materials: Preparation, Properties and Applications. doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-49512-5_1
[6] Zeimaran, E., et al. (2015). Bioactive glass reinforced elastomer composites for skeletal regeneration: a review. Mater. Sci. Eng. doi.org/10.1016/j.msec.2015.04.035
[7] Barrère F., et al. (2006). Bone regeneration: molecular and cellular interactions with calcium phosphate ceramics. Int J Nanomedicine. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17717972
[8] Nievethitha S., et al. (2017). Nanoceramics on Osteoblast Proliferation and Differentiation in Bone Tissue Engineering. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.01.089
[9] Wang, H., et al. (2021). Fabrication of BaTiO3@FeO core-shell nanoceramics for dielectric capacitor applications. Scripta Materialia. doi.org/10.1016/j.scriptamat.2021.113753
[10] Bhasha, B., et al. (2020). Ceramic Composites for Aerospace Applications. Diffusion Foundations. doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/DF.23.31
[11] Zhou, C., et al. (2015). Synthesis, sintering and characterization of porous nano-structured CaP bioceramics prepared by a two-step sintering method. Ceramics International. doi.org/10.1088/2043-6254/ab527b
[12] Ming, W., et al. (2022). Progress in Transparent Nano-Ceramics and Their Potential Applications. Nanomaterials. doi.org/10.3390/nano12091491
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