Fluoropolymer Coating by In-Situ Polymerization on Dispersed Aluminum Nanoparticles

Nanophase metal particles are becoming increasingly important in areas such as powder metallurgy, catalysis and energetic materials. One of the more important nanophase metals is aluminum . Although several promising routes for the production of this material exist, not one of these synthesis techniques have successfully addressed the issue of the oxidation of these same nanoparticles, which lead to the destruction of the benefits arising from their nanophase dimensions. AVEKA, Inc. proposes the use of their proprietary aspirator/dispersion technology in combination with a gas evaporative process in order to form a stable nanoparticle dispersion in an inert solvent. Standard polymerization techniques will then be used to form a protective fluoropolymer coating around the aluminum nanoparticles in-situ. After separation from the dispersion medium, a stable free-flowing nanopowder will be formed, which would be suitable for applications in energetic materials and metallurgy.