Rare earth nanomaterials' application

Rare earth elements themselves have abundant electronic structures and exhibit many optical, electric and magnetic properties.  After nanocrystallization, rare earth exhibits many characteristics, such as small size effect, high specific surface effect, quantum effect, strong optical, electrical and magnetic properties, superconductivity, high chemical activity, etc., which can greatly improve the performance and function of materials and develop many new materials.  In optical materials, luminescent materials, crystal materials, magnetic materials, battery materials, electronic ceramics, engineering ceramics, catalysts and other high-tech fields, will play an important role.

Current research and application fields of rare earth elements

1. Rare earth luminescent materials: rare earth nano phosphor (color TV powder, lamp powder), improved luminous efficiency, will greatly reduce the consumption of rare earth.  The main use of Y2O3, Eu2O3, Tb4O7, CeO2, Gd2O3.  Candidate new materials for high definition color TV.  

2. Nano superconducting materials: YBCO superconductor prepared by Y2O3, especially thin film materials, with stable performance, high strength, easy processing, close to the practical stage, broad prospects.  

3. Rare earth nano magnetic materials: used in magnetic memory, magnetic fluid, giant reluctance, etc., performance greatly improved, make the device become high-performance miniaturization.  Such as oxide giant magnetoresistance target (REMnO3, etc.).  

4. Rare earth high-performance ceramics: electronic ceramics (electronic sensors, PTC materials, microwave materials, capacitors, thermistors, etc.) prepared by ultrafine or nanoscale Y2O3, La2O3, Nd2O3, Sm2O3, etc., have been improved in electrical properties, thermal properties and stability, which is an important aspect of electronic material upgrading.  Such as nano Y2O3 and ZrO2 ceramics sintered at a lower temperature, has strong strength and toughness, used for bearings, tools and other wear-resistant devices;  The performance of multilayer capacitor and microwave devices made of nano Nd2O3 and Sm2O3 is greatly improved.  

5. Rare earth nanocatalysts: Rare earth nanocatalysts are used in many chemical reactions. If rare earth nanocatalysts are used, the catalytic activity and catalytic efficiency will be greatly improved.  CeO2 nano powder used in automobile exhaust purifier has the advantages of high activity, low price and long life, and has replaced most precious metals, with thousands of tons of annual consumption.  

6. Rare earth uv absorbent: Nano CeO2 powder has strong absorption of uv, used in sunscreen cosmetics, sunscreen fiber, car glass, etc.  

7. Rare earth precision polishing: CeO2 has a good polishing effect on glass.  Nano-ceo2 has higher polishing precision and has been used in liquid crystal display, silicon wafer, glass storage, etc.  In short, the application of rare earth nanomaterials has just begun, and it is concentrated in the field of high-tech new materials, with high added value, wide application, huge potential and promising commercial prospects.