Modern nanocomposite materials are based on the production, surface modification, mixing and shaping of materials. The group focuses on the synthesis of the nanopowders and participates in the consecutive steps of producing nanocomposites.
Optically functional nanocomposite materials will be a novel direction of this group, applying technologies and methodologies acquired from other materials fields. These fields are non-oxide semiconductor or hard material nanoparticles production and its inclusion as components into novel materials. Depending on the composite type, i.e. cermet, or cerpolym, metpolym the putting in shape might be different and will be adapted.
Another activity is the production of coatings e.g. by thermal spraying, inspiring more fundamental studies of the influence of multiple components on the interaction/interplay of properties of “composite” coatings.

Synthesis of nanopowders is carried out with an inductively coupled plasma setup. Dedicated to research activities it is equipped with numerous view ports for process observation, monitoring, and in-situ characterization. The nanoparticles plasma synthesis is based on rapid condensation, also called quenching, of a supersaturated gas phase. The quenching dynamics influence the nanoparticles properties such as size, size distribution and eventually the final chemical composition. The control and understanding of this condensation is of prime importance for guaranteeing the quality of the processed nanopowders.

The high temperatures (10000 K) and moderate velocities (100-200 ms-1) observed in radio frequency (RF) inductively coupled plasmas are particularly suitable for the evaporation of solid precursors. The starting material in our case is thus typically microscale powders that are mostly commercially available and easy to handle in a safe way. Furthermore, the process is performed under a controlled atmosphere (reducing, oxidizing or inert) allowing then the production of a large variety of nanoparticles.

In parallel to scientific and technological investigations, the Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) issues have been evaluated and best practice guidelines have been developed regarding production and manipulation of nanopowders. Particular attention has been also paid to the design of a special filtration unit.