Nanostructured Materials Laboratory

Home

Nanostructured Materials

Nanostructured Materials Laboratory

The mission

fundamental and industrial researches and technological development works

nano-bio-materials (ceramics, composites, hybrid inorganic-organic systems) for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering;
thin films and functional advanced coatings prepared by hydrothermal – electrochemical processes and sol-gel colloidal methods;
structural and functionally graded materials.

The laboratory has relevant expertise in:

wet chemical synthesis of nanocrystalline ceramic powders by:
- co-precipitation;
- sol-gel colloidal from inorganic precursors;
- hydrothermal;
chemical synthesis of new types of hybrid organic-inorganic nanomaterials by in-situ reactions and functionalisation;
chemical processes for the preparation of ceramic and hybrid nanocrystalline films (sol-gel, hydrothermal-elecrochemical deposition, analysis of colloidal system by zeta potential measurements);
synthesis of ceramic matrix composite nanomaterials;
synthesis of powders with core/shell structure;
processing of ceramic and composite powders;
nanostructured powders and films characterization using spectral methods (UV-VIS, FT-IR);
studies regarding the mechanisms and kinetics of the synthesis processes (thermodynamic prediction – HSC software, differential scanning calorimetry).

FACILITIES:

INFRASTRUCTURE, research locations and equipments:
- Computer controlled hydrothermal-electrochemical system designed for the production of nanocrystalline powders and nanostructured thin films:
  - 2.2L teflon autoclave (CORTEST), PID programmer, max. temperature 304°C, maximum pressure
    250 atm., possibility to work under inert gas atmosphere, electrodes system (working electrode, counter-electrode and reference electrode), connected at:
  - potentiostat/galvanostat Radiometer PGZ100/Voltalab 10 and Radiometer Booster (maximum voltage 100V), with compatible software VoltaMaster 4 (system introduced in service in 2003);
  - 1L stainless steel/teflon autoclave (SAM), PID programmer, max temperature 300°C, max. pressure 250 atm., possibility to work under inert gas atmosphere (2006).
- Micropilot continuous installation for the synthesis based on unconventional hydrolytic processes and sol sol-gel colloidal, consists of a complex of:
  - glass reactors in cascade, Kavalier, Czech Republic, (1999);
  - high capacity mechanic stirrer RGL2, (50L) Heidolph, (2003);
  - computer controlled pH-meter/conductometer Jenway 4330, (2004);
  - Bibi Stirling D4000 system for water distillation, 4L/h, (2001);
  - system for ultrapure water Direct Q3 uv, volume 6L, output 2.4L/h, resistivity 18.2 MΩ·cm at
    25°C, (2007).
- Processing and thermal treatment equipment:
  - laboratory spin coater system KW-4A type, 2 intervals of rotation speed; rotation speed digitally displayed; 2 temporization systems for each of the two speed intervals; vacuum pump up to 30 psi, dropping system for suspensions dosage with interchangeable syringe, ceramic hot plate for films thermal treatment, films treatment system with UV lamp, (2009);
  - hydraulic press 25 tf, (2004);
  - programmable laboratory oven Memmert TWW-UFE 400, temperature range 20-300°C, (2006);
  - CARBOLITE chamber furnace with programmer (1700°C, in air or controlled atmosphere, Eurotherm programmer, 8 stages), with stainless steel hood and fan for gases evacuation, (2001);
  - tubular electric furnace in N/Ar counter current, max. temperature 1200°C, (2004);
  - MHI laboratory tubular furnace, USA (max. temp. 1760°C, controlled atmosphere and vacuum, with its own vacuum system, Eurotherm programmer 18 stages), computer controlled system for data acquisition, (2007);
  - ball mill, Pascal type, ceramic/stainless steel mill vessel, total volume 1L, ceramic balls, (2001);
  - TURBULA type powder homogenizer, (1987);
  - powders homogenizer, (2009);
  - powders granulator, (2009).
- Specific characterisation equipments:
  - analytic electronic balance with kit for density measurements by Archimedes method, AW220 Shimadzu, 200g, 0.0001g accuracy, (2006);
  - laser granulometer with zetapotential, Malvern Instruments Zetaseizer ZS90, domain 0.6 nm - 3.0 μm, specialised software, (2007);
  - SV-10 viscosimeter, accessory Zetasiezer ZS90, to establish the viscosity of the solution samples and colloidal dispersions, producer A&D Company Ltd. Japan, (2008);
  - UV-VIS Spectrometer - PG Instruments T90+ (domain 200-900 1/cm), accessory – integrating sphere, (2006);
  - FT- IR Spectrometer, ABB MB 3000 type, Canada, with MIRACLE device (for solid and liquid samples), with HATR device (for films analysis). Horizon MB software for spectra recording and processing. Data base. (2008);
  - niche with vertical laminar airflow, FASTER TWO 30 type, for manipulating the samples intended for spectral and granulometry characterisation, (2008);
  - Differential Scanning Calorimeter Neztsch DSC F3 Maia, temperature range: – 40 … 600°C, software for results processing and specific heat calculation, (2007);
- Computers, multimedia and licensed software:
  - 3 notebooks, 7 desktops Pentium IV and equivalent, network printers colour A3 HP1220 and A4 multimedia HP LaserJet 3380; colour printer HP 5700;
  - Windows Vista, XP Professional and MS Office licensed software for all existent computers;
  - specialised software for thermodynamic calculations HSC 6 Outokumpu Oy, Finland, (2006);
  - other licensed software: Adobe Photoshop CS3; Dreamweaver CS3; Corel Graphics Suite 12; Origin 7.5; Norton Antivirus 2009; ACD See; Total Commander; Fine Printer;
  - Sony digital video camera, JVC audio system, Toshiba video projector .
- Rebuilt locations:
  - clean room for the synthesis of new nano-biomaterials, (2006);
  - two rooms furnished for synthesis and processing ceramic and composite powders (2005).
Organising meetings, workshops and conferences in the specific field of the laboratory;
The Nanostructured Materials Laboratory offers the young PhD students the possibilty to use its infrastructure under direct guidance of the laboratory specialists, in order to develop the experimental works proposed in their PhD programmes.

List of R&D Equipments

LABORATORY STAFF

Senior researcher 1st grade:
- Dr. Roxana Mioara PITICESCU (Scientific Director) - Curriculum Vitae
- Dr. Radu Robert PITICESCU (Laboratory Head) - Curriculum Vitae
Senior researcher 2nd grade:
- Eng. Paul STANCIU - Curriculum Vitae
- Eng. Cristian BOGDĂNESCU - Curriculum Vitae
Senior researcher 3rd grade:
- Dr. Adrian Mihail MOTOC - Curriculum Vitae
- Dr. Madalina Laura POPESCU - Curriculum Vitae
Scientific researcher :
- Drd. Eng. Cristina Florentina RUȘTI - Curriculum Vitae
Other staff:
- Eng. Mirela PETRICEANU, research assistant - Curriculum Vitae
- Prof. Dr. Dragoș TALOI, collaborator - Curriculum Vitae
- Maria Magdalena STOICIU, engineer (short duration studies)
- Florica CAȘU, technician
- Constantin STOIAN, worker

PARTICIPATION at CONSORTIUM, TECHNOLOGICAL NETWORKS and PLATFORMS
(the last 5 years)

NATIONAL PARTICIPATION:
- Projects developed in the frame of the following Programmes: CEEX, INNOVATION, Partnership in Priority Domains, Sectorial Plan.
INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION:
- CONSORTIUM and TECHNOLOGICAL NETWORKS:
  POLAR ELECTROCERAMICS G5RT-CT-2001-05024 FP5
  Coordinator: FERROPERM A.S. Denmark
  Duration: 2002-2007
  Participants: more than 40 institutes and enterprises from all around Europe
  Results: the activities concerning the piezoceramic materials synthesis by chemical processes in solution were correlated with the users’ needs. Expertise exchanges (short training visits at University of Aveiro- Portugal and Jozef Stephan Institute Ljublijana, Slovenia). Participation at the “Piezocermaics for end-users” conferences which were organised by the network.
  High Pressure Tunning of Chemicals and Biochemicals Processes COST D30
  Dr. Roxana M. Piticescu and Dr. Radu R. Piticescu were members in the Management Committee
  Duration: 2003-2007
  Results: There were expertise exchanges and there were presented original works at the workshops organised by the network members. There were short visits of the young researchers at the partners’ facilities (M. L. Popescu at UNIPRESS Warsaw and Centre Resource Hautes Pressions-University of Bordeaux, Janusz Fidelus and Krystof Bienkowski from UNIPRESS Warsaw at INCDMNR).
  Advanced Electroceramics: Grain Boundary Engineering COST 525
  Dr. Roxana M. Piticescu was member in the Management Committee.
  Duration: 2004-2007
  Results: There were exchanges of experience and the representatives of INCDMNR were part in the meetings of the management committee and in joint communications and publications.
  FUN NANOS Modelling and Checking the Electrochemical and Electronic Properties of Multifunctional Nanomaterials 10300MW (EGIDE-ECONET)
  Coordinator: CNRS/PROMES Font Romeu, France
  Duration: 2005-2006
  Participants: National R&D Institute for Non-ferrous and Rare Metals (INCDMN-IMNR), Centre for High Pressure Physics, Warsaw – Polish Academy of Science (UNIPRESS) and Institute for Physics of Solid, University of Riga, Latvia
  Results: Experience exchanges in the field of ceramic nanomaterials synthesis by hydrothermal processes (INCDMNR) and supercritic processes (UNIPRESS) and concerning the elaboration of some characterisation methodologies for nanomaterials with applications as solid electrolytes (CNRS/PROMES) and as semiconducting films with photoluminescence properties (ISSP Riga). There were organized 4 workshops at the partners’ facilities and short training stages in France for young researchers from IMNR, UNIPRESS and ISSP Riga. The network had an important role in establishing the bases for the FUN NANOS international workshop organised every year. Details on: www.imnr.ro/avanmat/meetings.htm
  Dendrimers for Biomedical Applications COST TD0802
  Dr. Roxana M. Piticescu is member in the Management Committee
  Duration: 2009-2013
  Expected results: Expertise exchanges and samples for synthesis and characterisation, participation at the meetings of the management committee and at the conferences organised by the network, joint publications, a young researcher from IMNR (Dr. Madalina L. Popescu) will perform short visits at the facilities of the network partners for training in the field of modelling the synthesis of biocompatible hybrid structures.
  Next Generation Cost Effective Phase Change Materials for Increased Energy Efficiency in Renewable Systems in Buidings COST TU0208
  Dr. Radu Robert Piticescu is member in the Management Committee.
  Duration: 2009-2013
  Expected results: Expertise exchanges and samples for synthesis and characterisation, participation at the meetings of the management committee and at the conferences organised by the network, organizing a summer school, joint publications, a young researcher from IMNR (PhD student Rusti Cristina Florentina) will perform short visits at the facilities of the network partners for training in the field of thermal characterisation of advanced materials by DSC method.
- EUROPEAN TECHNOLOGICAL PLATFORMS :
  PTE Nanomedicine www.etp-nanomedicine.eu
  Dr. Roxana M. PITICESCU is the contact person in the institute
  PTE Additive Manufacturing www.rm-platform.com
  Dr. Radu R. PITICESCU is the contact person in the institute
  NANOfutures – European Initiative for Sustainable Development of Nanotechnologies www.nanofutures.eu
  Coordinator: Dr. Radu R. PITICESCU
  In Romania (in November 2009) it was assumed the initiative to establish the national mirror of the European initiative, meaning NANOfutures Romania which will assure dissemination, coordination and participation at specific strategy and brokerage actions, and also the participation in launching a Joint Technological Innitiative. The main working groups will focus on: nanomaterials associated risks, the strategy concerning the industrial safety of nanotechnologies, technology transfer and innovation financing, nanomanufacturing, competences and education, research and technology, networking and communication.