Nanotechnology and Nanocrystalline Materials

We began working in the field of Nanotechnology and Nanocrystalline Materials in the early 1990s.

Using sol-gel techniques, we developed a method for producing glass-ceramic composites composed of nanocrystalline magnesium fluoride embedded in an SiO₂ matrix (1).  Research indicated that these composites might be prepared as optical thin-film coatings with refractive indices tunable between pure MgF₂ and pure SiO₂. This work was the basis for patented processes later developed by Nissan Chemical in Japan.

In addition, we have developed a novel sol-gel spin-coating technique for depositing nanocrystalline (111) oriented magnesium oxide thin-films on silicon wafer substrates (2).

(1) A.A. Rywak et al. ”Sol-Gel Synthesis of Nanocrystalline Magnesium Fluoride: Its Use in the Preparation of MgF₂ Films and MgF₂-SiO₂ Composites“  Chem. Mater. 1996, 8, 60-67

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