SBIR Phase I: Modification of High Surface Area Tantalum Powder for Capacitor Applications

Ap Materials, Inc., Saint Louis MO

Investigators

Abstract

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project proposes to develop methods for preventing oxidation of air or moisture sensitive metallic or ceramic nanoparticles used for electronic devices. The specific problem this proposal addresses is the need to process nanometer sized tantalum particles such that they do not spontaneously oxidize on contact with air or moisture and that the particles may be integrated into the manufacture of capacitors. This project will examine the use of organic molecules to derivitize tantalum nanoparticles as produced by the Sodium Flame Encapsulation (SFE) process. It is anticipated that derivatization should provide an oxidation resistant coating allowing for the production of low oxygen materials for electronic applications. Commercially, the research will contribute to the commercialization of products derived from SFE process, initially limited to tantalum, but ultimately applicable to a wide range of nano-scale metals and ceramics. This research has the broader implication of bringing the SFE process for nanoparticles manufacture to commercial realization and it enables further discovery in the areas of materials processing of these important new particles.