DISRUPT Industries using Fe2O3 as a CATALYST with THIS Particle

PERFORMANCE-TUNING, In a "1 (Particle) SIZE FITS ALL" World
PERFORMANCE TUNING refers to recalibrating one or more of a Synthesis Process's Settings to generate one or more unique particle "grain size/surface area" combinations. The ability to tailor a particle to a product or process is arguably the most finite form of engineering. 2 Examples of Industries where ferric oxide (aka Fe2O3) grain size + surface area matter are (1) Water Pollution Remediation + (2) Thermetics (aka Thermite).  Additional examples are listed by Industry at the bottom of this page.
  • LARGER grain sizes can be produced for applications where larger Fe2O3 grain sizes are preferable (like Water Pollution Remediation, where larger grains take longer to dissolve, hence extending the product life of Fe2O3 sorbent particles).

  • SMALLER grain sizes can be produced for applications where smaller Fe2O3 grain sizes are preferable (like Nanothermite, where smaller grain sizes extend burn rate durations).

Examples:  TODAY's POPULAR "1 (Particle) SIZE FITS ALL" Fe2O3
Surface Area = NOT LISTED
Particle Size = +/- 25,000nm
Amazon Link
Surface Area = 21 m2/gram
Particle Size = 30nm
MSE Link
Surface Area = 40-60 m2/gram
Particle Size = 20-40nm
SkySpring Nano Link
Surface Area = 50-245 m2/gram
Particle Size = <50nm
Sigma Aldrich Link


World's HIGHEST (Commercially Available) Surface Area Fe2O3
  • Nearly all commercial micron-sized Fe2O3 powders have surface areas far below 90m2/gram.

  • PhDs have been making Fe2O3 nano-sized powders with surface areas up to 400m2/gram (in tiny [single gram] batches) in laboratories for decades.

  • For commercial Fe2O3 nano-sized powders, the highest surface area (we've found) is 50-245m2/gram from Sigma Aldrich (aka, Merck [Germany]).

    • Problem is, this nearly 400% variance (between 50m2/gm and 245m2/gm) is so large that replicating research results is impossible. Inconsistent mfg quality control yields inconsistent powder surface areas that generate inconsistent test results. Other manufacturers offer powders with lower variances, but their surface areas are much lower too.


Summary Table: Four (4) Types of Ferric Oxide Powders
Univ of MN Technical Documentation can be viewed  >>  HERE


MORE SURFACE AREA than (Commercial) NANOPARTICLES
  • PhDs inexperienced with nanoporous ferric oxide gravitate to the tenet that the sole route to higher surface area is by reducing grain size.

  • For SOLID Particles, this tenet is TRUE.

    • For NANOPOROUS Particles, it is NOT.

  • Depending upon whether Chinese or German Precursor is selected, resulting nanoporous micropowder surface areas are:
  • Highest surface area achieved (German precursor used) is 255m2/gram.

    • 3 Videos Demonstrating ACCELERATED CATALYTIC REACTIVITY
    From LEFT to RIGHT:
    • LEFT + MIDDLE Videos display nanoporous ferric oxide rendering NSF Certified sorbents UNRESPONSIVE in side-by-side PO4 Remediation tests.

    • RIGHT Video demonstrates (multiple grades of) nanoporous ferric oxide generating burn durations up to 7X longer than solid Fe2O3 particles in side-by-side tests.


    HOLY GRAIL Property:   NEAR-UNIFORM Particle DISPERSION
    • PhDs inexperienced with Nanoporous Ferric Oxide gravitate to the tenet that the sole route to minimizing particle sedimentation is by reducing grain size (which reduces gravitational pull on particles).

    • This is one reason Pharmaceutical PhDs rely on Colloids (nanoscale particles) when designing suspension medications.

      • 2024 Nikon Metrology Helical CT Scans captured Nanoporous Ferric Oxide achieving near-perfect particle distribution (no sedimentation, achieved by simple mechanical mixing) in viscous-turned-hardened silicon rubber suspension.


      NIKON X-RAY Results >> VIEW

    NIKON X-Rays:  NANOPOROUS Fe2O3 Particles Defy SEDIMENTATION


    1st STEP Towards DISRUPTION: Order SAMPLES
    Unfortunately, that's been disrupted too.   Moving to new location, in-servicing new equipment, and calibrating Synthesis Quality Control is projected to take 2-4 months [from June 2025].

    If you're interested in reserving your sample now, email sales@synthetic-metals.com with your contact info, application, precursor preference (Chinese [$7 per gram] or German [$11 per gram]), and desired sample size.



    DISRUPTION Opportunities:  By INDUSTRY
    OVERVIEW
    • Nanoporous Fe2O3, or iron oxide with nanoscale pores, presents a wide array of applications stemming from its high surface area, tunable porosity, and unique physicochemical properties.
    • The versatility of nanoporous Fe2O3 stems from the ability to tailor its properties through synthesis methods and post-synthesis modifications, allowing for optimization for specific applications.
    BIOMED
    • DRUG DELIVERY: Nanoporous Fe2O3 can be loaded with therapeutic agents and targeted to specific sites in the body for controlled drug release and enhanced therapeutic efficacy.
    • BIOIMAGING: Its biocompatibility and magnetic properties make it useful as a contrast agent in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), enabling visualization of specific tissues or organs.
    • BIOSENSING: It can be functionalized to detect specific biomarkers or molecules, aiding in disease diagnosis and monitoring.
    CATALYSIS
    • SUPPORT FOR CATALYSTS: Nanoporous Fe2O3 serves as an excellent support material for various catalysts, including metals and other metal oxides, enhancing catalytic activity and stability due to its high surface area and porosity.
    • ELECTROCATALYSIS: It exhibits electrocatalytic activity for various electrochemical reactions, like the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), crucial for energy conversion and storage technologies.
    ENERGY STORAGE
    • LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES: Nanoporous Fe2O3 can be used as an anode material in lithium-ion batteries, offering higher theoretical capacity and rate capability compared to conventional materials.
    • SUPERCAPACITORS: Its high surface area and porosity make it a suitable electrode material for supercapacitors, enabling high charge storage capacity and power density.
    ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION
    • ABSORPTION: Nanoporous Fe2O3 can effectively adsorb pollutants, such as heavy metals and organic dyes, from water and wastewater due to its large surface area and tunable pore size.
    • PHOTOCATALYSIS: It shows photocatalytic activity under UV or visible light irradiation, aiding in the degradation of organic pollutants in water and air.
    GAS SENSING
    • DETECTION OF HAZARDOUS GASES: Nanoporous Fe2O3 can be used as a sensing material for detecting hazardous gases due to its tunable surface chemistry and enhanced interaction with gas molecules.
    OTHER APPLICATIONS
    • SOLAR CELLS: It can be used as a photoanode material in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), improving electron transport and overall device efficiency.
    • MAGNETIC RECORDING MEDIA: Nanoporous Fe2O3, especially with specific magnetic properties, is used in high-density magnetic recording media for data storage.
    • COATINGS: Due to its magnetic and chemical properties, it's used in protective and functional coatings.