Kokkola Region Centre of Expertise
Kokkola Region Centre of Expertise contributes the exploitation of nanotechnology in the chemical industry. In particular, applications of nanotechnology focus on the production of metal chemicals, fine chemicals and on polymer and composite materials. Research and development at Kokkola region focuses on catalysts and catalytic processes.
Metallic nanoparticles and compounds
Metallic chemicals are important materials in many industrial applications, such as the production of catalysts for drugs, oil refining, and the pulp and paper industry. Diminishing the size of metallic particles into nanoscale improves reactivity, catalytic activity and the selectivity of catalysts. Metallic chemicals can also be used in the production of fine chemicals and energy, as well as for powder metallurgy, paint and colour production and the rubber industry. Self cleaning, stronger, lighter and more wear-resistant materials can be produced with metallic nanoparticles. They can also be used to develop the optical, antibacterial, fire resistant and non oxidizing properties of materials.
Polymers and Composites
Polymers will increasingly be used in different applications due to their diverse properties. Polymers can be modified by blending nanoscale fillers, like nanoclay, nanofibers, carbon nanotubes and metallic or ceramic nanoparticles with them. Composites consisting polymers and nanomaterials are light and strong materials, which can have notably higher wear resistance and better chemical stability or barrier properties than original polymer. With nanofillers the processing times can be accelerated and operating temperatures lowered. Glass transition and deflection temperatures of material can also be transferred. Flame-retardant and conductive properties of polymers can be adjusted with metallic nanoparticles.
Catalysts and catalytic processes
The experimental studies about catalysts and catalytic processes in industrial applications are studied at both laboratory and pilot scale. Nanosized catalytic materials, especially noble metals, mean cheaper products with improved catalytic properties. The main areas of research include development of novel catalytic materials, catalytic wet oxidation (CWO) of industrial waste waters, catalytic conversion of biomass into biofuels, catalytic abatement of VOCs and exhaust gas catalysis.
Links:
http://www.ketek.fi