Technical Specifications
- Product Name: Tantalum Nanopowder
- Chemical Formula: Ta
- CAS Number: 7440-25-7
- Purity
- Grade: 99.99% (high-purity level)
- Impurities: ≤0.01% (trace levels of other metallic or non-metallic elements)
- Particle Size
- Range: ~50 nm
- Particle Size Distribution: Uniformly distributed, confirmed via SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) or TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy)
- Morphology
- Shape: Near-spherical or irregular, depending on the synthesis process
- Surface Area: Significantly high due to nanoscale dimensions, enhancing reactivity
- Crystal Structure
- Phase: Body-Centered Cubic (bcc)
- Stability: Stable under standard conditions
- Physical and Chemical Properties
- Color: Gray metallic powder
- Density: ~16.65 g/cm³ (bulk density is lower due to particle agglomeration)
- Melting Point: ~3,020 °C
- Boiling Point: ~5,458 °C
- Conductivity: High electrical and thermal conductivity, with excellent corrosion resistance
- Packaging and Storage
- Standard Packaging: Sealed under inert gas (e.g., argon) or vacuum-sealed to prevent oxidation
- Storage Conditions: Store in a cool, dry environment; avoid exposure to air and moisture
- Shelf Life: Stable when stored properly; surface oxidation may develop with prolonged exposure to air
- Safety and Handling
- Hazards:
- Finely divided tantalum powder may ignite under high heat or friction.
- Dust inhalation may cause respiratory irritation.
- Recommended Protective Measures:
- Use PPE (gloves, goggles, respirators).
- Handle in a controlled or inert atmosphere to minimize risks of oxidation and combustion.
- Hazards:
Applications
- Electronics and Capacitors
- Tantalum Capacitors: Widely used in high-performance electronic devices due to tantalum’s high dielectric constant and excellent stability.
- Thin Film Coatings: Used in electronic components for resistive and conductive coatings.
- Aerospace and Defense
- High-Performance Alloys: Tantalum is used to create superalloys for aerospace and defense applications, offering excellent corrosion resistance and high-temperature strength.
- Rocket Nozzles: Tantalum’s high melting point makes it suitable for components exposed to extreme heat.
- Energy Applications
- Hydrogen Storage: Nanoscale tantalum is being explored for hydrogen storage systems due to its ability to form stable hydrides.
- Nuclear Technology: Used in radiation shielding and reactor components because of its stability under extreme conditions.
- Biomedical Applications
- Implants: Tantalum is biocompatible and used in medical implants, such as orthopedic screws and prosthetics.
- Tissue Engineering: Tantalum nanopowder is explored for its role in bone regeneration and scaffold materials.
- Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing
- Advanced Printing Powders: Tantalum nanopowder is used in additive manufacturing for creating high-performance components in aerospace, medical, and industrial sectors.
- Catalysis
- Chemical Reactions: Tantalum nanoparticles act as catalysts in hydrogenation, oxidation, and other specialized reactions.
- Environmental Catalysis: Studied for pollutant degradation and chemical waste management.
- Coatings and Surface Engineering
- Protective Coatings: Used in coatings for enhanced corrosion and wear resistance, particularly in harsh environments.
- Thermal Coatings: Provides thermal stability in high-temperature applications.
- Nanocomposites
- Enhanced Materials: Tantalum nanoparticles improve the thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties of polymers, ceramics, and metal composites.
- Aerospace Components: Lightweight composites with high strength-to-weight ratios.
- Research and Development
- Material Science: Essential in the study of next-generation electronic, energy, and biomedical materials.
- Prototyping: Used in experimental setups for novel technologies.