A compound additive which facilitates the even distribution of nano-particles and helps to maintain the stability of nanotechnology products has been developed in Guiyang, capital city of southwest China's Guizhou Province.
The additive is composed of various nanotechnology inorganic powders, including nano-zinc oxide, nano-aluminum oxide, nano-magnesium oxide and nano-titanium dioxide.
The new additive is reportedly very easy to use as it requires no adjustments in production equipment, production techniques or production parameters.
The breakthrough occurred in Guizhou Province, where a number of nano powder-type inorganic materials, such as nano-zinc oxide, have already been industrialized, according to Xue Tao, head of the Guizhou Nanotechnology Materials Engineering Center in Guiyang.
A nanometer is one billionth of a meter. Nanotechnology is used to provide different materials with physical, chemical and biological properties, including anti-virus properties and odor resistance.
However, nano-particles, which possess enormous surface energy, have high attraction and tend to clump together, losing their intended surface and quantum effects.
Finding a method to prevent the clumping and maintain even distribution and stability was a difficult problem, said Xue, but the scientists at the Guizhou Nanotechnology Materials Engineering Center persevered until they had perfected the compound additive.
The center has also developed a sort of multi-purpose additive, which reinforces agricultural-use plastic film, enhancing its thermal insulation and anti-dust properties, according to Xue.
(Xinhua News Agency February 18, 2003)
