Nanoparticles, with their unique size effect, exhibit excellent electrical conductivity and catalytic properties, but they have always been plagued by the problem of agglomeration. These tiny particles, due to their extremely high surface energy, easily aggregate through van der Waals forces and electrostatic interactions, spontaneously clustering together like scattered magnets. This not only results in the loss of their original nanoscale properties but also significantly reduces the material's performance. The emergence of ultrasonic dispersion equipment is becoming a core technology to break this deadlock.
The core secret of ultrasonic dispersion lies in the cavitation effect. When high-frequency sound waves penetrate the base liquid, they trigger the rapid generation, expansion, and collapse of countless tiny bubbles. This process instantly releases high-pressure shock waves and high-speed microjets, powerful enough to penetrate the tiny gaps between particles, tear apart the agglomerates formed by van der Waals forces, and disperse the aggregates into a monodisperse state. Compared to traditional mechanical stirring, this effect penetrates to the microscopic level, avoiding crystal damage caused by excessive grinding, and eliminates the need for dispersants, ensuring material purity from the source.
Precise control of process parameters is key to achieving efficient dispersion. Experiments show that ultrasonic frequency significantly affects dispersion: when treating lanthanum cobalt oxide, the average particle size at 60 kHz is only 12 nm, far smaller than the 20 nm at 30 kHz. Simultaneously, matching power to processing time is crucial; excessive ultrasound may induce secondary agglomeration due to heat accumulation. The optimal range needs to be found by monitoring the absorbance and centrifugal stability of the suspension. This precise control allows nanoparticles to form a uniform and stable dispersion system in the base liquid, laying the foundation for performance optimization.
The performance leap brought about by uniform dispersion has been demonstrated in multiple fields. In the energy sector, after ultrasonic dispersion of lithium battery cathode materials, the uniform particle distribution reduces ion transport resistance, significantly improving charge-discharge efficiency and cycle life. In the catalysis field, the increased specific surface area and fully exposed surface active sites after dispersion of titanium oxide nanoparticles greatly improve photocatalytic degradation efficiency. In the preparation of special ceramics, carbon nanotubes, after ultrasonic dispersion, are uniformly embedded in the ceramic matrix, simultaneously enhancing the material's wear resistance and toughness. These applications confirm the direct correlation between dispersion uniformity and material performance.
From laboratory research and development to industrial production, ultrasonic dispersion equipment is becoming a "bridge" for the application of nanomaterials. It breaks down agglomeration through physical action and achieves uniform dispersion through precise control, allowing the unique properties of nanoparticles to be fully released. In the wave of new material innovation, this technology will undoubtedly continue to drive performance breakthroughs in fields such as conductive materials and catalytic materials, injecting new momentum into high-end manufacturing and technological development.
