STTR Phase I: UV-Photocatalytic TiO2 Films on Nanosized Ferromagnetic Substrate Particles

This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project provides for the commercialization of composite UV-photocatalytic TiO2 nanofilms deposited by Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) on nanosized ferromagnetic iron particles. The iron nanoparticles are formed in-situ prior to ALD processing where conformal, pinhole-free, chemically bonded films of TiO2 are deposited on the surface of each individual substrate nanoparticcle. The substrate iron particles maintain a high magnetic moment and are protected from oxidation by the TiO2 film. The novel catalyst particles can be used to passively decontaminate polluted streams and can then be removed magnetically from the decontaminated sites and regenerated for further use. The ALD nanocoating of individual ultrafine particles to control individual ultrafine particle surface chemistry is enabling technology that is unparalleled compared to more conventional CVD, PVD, PE-CVD, or wet chemistry solution processing. It is now possible to produce ultrafine particles with designed electrical, magnetic, optical, mechanical, rheological, or other properties. Markets for such functionalized ultra-fine powders include microelectronics, defense, hardmetals, cosmetics, drug delivery, catalytic materials, energetic materials, and polymer/ceramic nanocomposites, among others.