Nanoparticle Synthesis and Functionalisation
Nanotechnology has enormous potential in almost all industrial and socioeconomic fields. GAIKER provides a multidisciplinary tool which is key to the development of new applications and the creation of a nanotechnology-based industrial fabric as well as the comprehensive and personalised service we offer our clients and society as a whole.
The team is composed of highly qualified researchers with wide-ranging experience in various scientific fields, thus enabling us to undertake research in fields such as those listed below:
- Synthesis, processing and characterisation of inorganic, organic and hybrid nanomaterials with different properties depending on their nature and size
- Modification of nanoscale materials to provide new characteristics and functions
- Formulation of nanoparticle-containing plastic materials
- Development of biofunctional nanoparticles
- Microencapsulation technologies
- Development and characterisation of nanostructured materials and surfaces with special properties
- Development of supercritical fluid-based processes for the extraction of natural compounds, waste valorisation, compound synthesis, micro- nanoparticle production and materials functionalisation which lead to highly pure and organic solvent-free products
Our understanding of the physical, chemical, biological and technological characteristics of nanometre-sized objects, their combination with other technologies and their focus on industrial and social needs enables GAIKER to provide personalised and interdisciplinary solutions for numerous clients from sectors such as biomedicine, electronics, energy, automotive, transport, construction, textiles, aeronautics, environment, agrifood, machines/tools and chemical, amongst others.
Our most notable equipment for activities in the field of nanotechnology includes the following:
- Fully equipped laboratory for the synthesis and functionalisation of nanoparticle systems.
- Equipment for nanomaterial characterisation: infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), ultraviolet spectroscopy, liquid and gas chromatography, inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), fluorescent microscopy.
- Micro-rheometer for rheological studies and the preparation of nanomaterial concentrates.
- Optical microscopy.
- Electron microscopy service: transmission electron microscope (TEM), scanning electron microscope equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis (SEM/EDX), atomic force microscope (AFM).
- Video system for measuring the contact angle.
- Mini-injector which is highly sensitive to shear- or temperature-induced degradation.
- Dispersal and ultrasonic homogenisers for the dispersion of nanoparticles.
- Dispersion stability measuring device.
- Plant for supercritical fluid-based processes.