Polymorphic transitions in nanocrystalline metal oxides leads to structural transformations resulting in differing properties at varying operating temperatures. Nanocrystalline MoO3 transforms from a metastable monoclinic phase to stable orthorhombic phase when heat treated in the temperature range of 420C to 500C. Gas sensing results have shown that at 420C MoO3 is sensitive to Isoprene, a 450C it shows sensitivity to CO2 and to ammonia at 500C. DSC data has proved that MoO3 changes crystal structure to monoclinic at 420C and to orthorhombic at about485C. This confirms a correlation between structure and gas sensing properties of MoO3. Using this knowledge a hand-held diagnostic tool is developed to monitor specific breath gases which can be biomarkers for diseases. The device consists of three sensors, the read-out gives a real time resistance value for each resistive sensor which is stored in a microprocessor. This is a one of a kind handheld tool for disease detection using ceramic sensors as detectors for gases which are known to be biomarkers for diseases.

nGimat has commercialized a number of nanotech applications based on its core competence of creating low cost high quality nanomaterials. It offers a wide range of nanomaterials as coatings and nanopowders including dispersion form. While being successful in obtaining government R&D funding, nGimat has more than half of revenues from its private industry customers and is profitable. As an example, based on the DOE and DOD SBIR funding, nGimat has successfully developed high performance superhydrophobic coatings on various substrates. The superhydrophobic coatings show high transparency and high durability in addition to high contact angle and low rolling angle. Due to the excellent performance, nGimat signed a license agreement with a major automobile manufacturer to commercialize the superhydrophobic coatings for automobile applications. A few of other applications are also covered, including various nanopowders (including Li-battery based) and nGisulateTM high temperature thin wire coatings.

The CCVD (coating NanoSpraySM Combustion process) can be easily scaled up to large substrates and integrated into an existing production line, thus enabling a license business model. The CCVC (nanopowder NanoSpraySM Combustion process) is above 50kg/day capability and will soon yield 100kg/day production rates. Even higher production rates are readily achievable as demand is required. A manufacturing business model is being used for these nanopowder based products and should be internationally competitive even when made in the USA as the market matures

Amongst the list of the measurands specific to nanoparticles, size and shape definitely matter but surface chemistry is also often cited. While it is now largely recognized that surface composition, structure and reactivity are perhaps the dominant parameters controlling properties of nanoparticles, surface chemistry is one of the key characteristics of nanoparticles which is seldom or inappropriately evaluated, as it has been identified by international organizations (such as ISO, BIPM or CEN). The usual techniques for surface analysis of materials often require ultra-high vacuum (UHV) conditions and are hardly applicable to nanoparticles. Moreover, because the surface chemical composition and reactivity are dependent on the environmental conditions, the results obtained under UHV cannot be extrapolated to nanoparticles in ambient atmosphere or dispersed in liquids.

After an analysis of the stakes and challenges in the surface characterization of nanoparticles and a very brief overview of the usual techniques for surface studies, this paper presents the performance of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to investigate surface chemical composition, surface reactivity and surface functionalization of nanoparticles. As illustrating examples, the results of the FTIR surface analysis of different kinds of ceramic nanoparticles are discussed with regard to several fields of applications.