Foundation and application of solid-state processes at inorganic-organic particulate boundaries

When external forces are exerted upon a solid particulate mixture comprising metal oxide and organic crystals, a number of peculiar chemical processes take place. They are capable of modifying metal oxide particles, quite often in nanometer regime, for more efficient charge transfer or better harvest of solar energies. Since we are living in the era of economical difficulty and energy crisis, we are obliged to develop manufacturing processes of functional materials with a strong conscious of affordability and scalability, even when we are dealing with cutting-edge nano-structured materials. Based on these concepts, a short overview is given about anion exchange of oxide nanoparticles and oxide-based nanocomposite formation. Some case studies are given on the fluoridation and nitridation of TiO2, accompanied by the reaction mechanisms and application potentials. (c) 2013 The Society of Powder Technology Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. and The Society of Powder Technology Japan. All rights reserved.