Tantalum Pentoxide Micron Powder (Ta₂O₅, 99.9%, 3 µm)
Technical Specifications:
- Chemical Formula: Ta₂O₅
- Purity: 99.9% (high purity)
- Particle Size: 3 µm (microns)
- Appearance: White to light yellow powder
- Density: Approximately 8.2 g/cm³
- Melting Point: 3,030°C (5,486°F)
- Boiling Point: Sublimes at high temperatures (does not have a definitive boiling point under normal pressure)
- Molecular Weight: 441.91 g/mol
- Solubility: Insoluble in water but soluble in hydrofluoric acid (HF) and concentrated sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄)
- Crystal Structure: Monoclinic, with a high degree of crystallinity depending on the preparation conditions
- Refractive Index: ~2.0 (a high refractive index, contributing to optical applications)
Applications:
- Capacitors:
- Tantalum Pentoxide (Ta₂O₅) is used in the production of high-performance capacitors, particularly in electrolytic capacitors. It is a key material in these capacitors due to its high dielectric constant, allowing for efficient energy storage in miniaturized electronics.
- It is frequently used in space electronics, telecommunication equipment, and medical devices, where reliability and high capacitance are required.
- Optical Coatings:
- Tantalum Pentoxide is employed in optical coatings and thin films, particularly for anti-reflective coatings and high-performance mirrors. Due to its high refractive index, it is used in lenses, telescopes, and microscope optics to improve light transmission and enhance the performance of optical systems.
- It is also used in infrared optics and photonic devices that require high optical transparency and stability.
- Catalysis:
- Tantalum Pentoxide is used as a catalyst or catalyst support in various chemical processes, especially in hydrocarbon cracking and petrochemical processes. It is used for selective oxidation reactions, which are important in the production of chemicals like acetic acid and butadiene.
- Due to its chemical stability, it serves as an ideal catalyst in high-temperature reactions.
- Ceramics:
- Tantalum Pentoxide is used in the production of high-performance ceramics. It improves the thermal stability, mechanical properties, and resistance to wear of ceramic materials used in aerospace, automotive, and nuclear industries.
- It is used to enhance abrasion resistance in industrial tools and equipment that need to withstand high temperatures and mechanical stresses.
- Superconducting Materials:
- Tantalum Pentoxide is explored in the development of superconducting materials and devices. It is used in high-performance superconducting magnets and high-temperature superconductors for use in MRI machines, particle accelerators, and quantum computing applications.
- Semiconductor Industry:
- Tantalum Pentoxide is used in the semiconductor industry as a dielectric material in integrated circuits and memory devices. Its high dielectric constant makes it an ideal material for high-performance semiconductors and gate insulators in MOSFETs (metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors).
- It is also used in capacitor arrays for semiconductor packaging and microelectronics.
- Nuclear Applications:
- Tantalum Pentoxide is used in nuclear reactors and nuclear shielding. Its ability to absorb neutrons makes it a useful material in radiation shielding applications, where it helps reduce the impact of neutron radiation.
- It is also used as a radiation-resistant material in certain nuclear fuel cells and other high-radiation environments.
- Pharmaceutical and Biomedical:
- Tantalum Pentoxide is used in biomedical applications, such as implantable medical devices and prosthetics. It is biocompatible and resistant to corrosion, making it suitable for use in surgical implants such as bone screws and dental implants.
- The material is also explored in the development of drug delivery systems, particularly in devices that release medication in controlled amounts.
- Hydrogen Storage:
- Tantalum Pentoxide has been investigated for use in hydrogen storage systems due to its ability to absorb and release hydrogen. It can be used in fuel cells and hydrogen-powered vehicles to improve the efficiency and capacity of hydrogen storage systems.
- Photovoltaic Devices:
- Tantalum Pentoxide is used in the development of solar cells, especially thin-film photovoltaics, due to its high refractive index and optical properties that enhance light absorption.
- It is particularly useful in solar panels and energy-efficient windows, where it helps optimize energy conversion and thermal control.
- High-Energy Physics:
- Tantalum Pentoxide is used in high-energy physics experiments, especially in particle accelerators and detectors. Its ability to withstand extreme temperatures and radiation makes it suitable for use in detector shields and reaction chambers in high-energy physics research.
- Thermal Barrier Coatings:
- Tantalum Pentoxide is used as a thermal barrier coating for aerospace applications. It provides excellent resistance to high temperatures, protecting materials and components exposed to extreme heat, such as jet engine turbines and rocket engines.
Tantalum Pentoxide Micron Powder (Ta₂O₅, 99.9%, 3 µm) is a high-performance material with significant applications across industries like electronics, semiconductors, aerospace, and energy storage. Its unique properties, including its high melting point, dielectric constant, and ability to resist radiation and high temperatures, make it an essential component in modern technology and advanced material sciences.