Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 February 2011
A wide range of ultra-fine, nano-crystalline powders and suspensions havebeen produced using the Rapid Thermal Decomposition of precursors inSolution (RTDS) technology. These materials include single andmulti-component iron-, zirconium-, titanium-, nickel-, andchromium-oxide/oxyhydroxide powders. RTDS, which was developed at PacificNorthwest Laboratory, is a flow-through hydrothermal process capable ofproducing nano-crystalline particulate material at rates of up to 100 gramsof solid per hour. We present the results of characterization efforts onRTDS iron oxyhydroxide and zirconium oxide systems. As-collected RTDSsuspensions were characterized using optical light scattering. SeparatedRTDS powders were evaluated using X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy,gas adsorption analysis, thermal gravimetric analysis, and chemicalanalysis.