Improved Nanocomposite Process

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About this Technology Zinc oxide nanoparticles are important functional materials, most commonly used in cosmetics and sun creams for their UV absorbing properties. They also find use in a broad range of specialist applications such as catalysis, solar cells, LEDs, lasers and sensors. These applications often require the nanoparticles to be blended with a polymer (nano-composite formation), a process which also imparts UV resistance to the polymer. Researchers at Imperial College London have developed and patented an easy ‘one-pot’ synthesis method for the preparation of zinc oxide nanoparticles (or more generally nano-composites). The method provides a very homogeneous size distribution with a broad range of possible surface functionalities, allowing precise tailoring of optoelectronic properties. The method is also applicable to the synthesis of other metal oxide and chalcogenide nanoparticles e.g. titanium oxide.