Method for nanopowder-processing ultra-high-purity single crystal and polycrystalline materials by using carbon dioxide gas laser device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for nanopowder-processing ultra-high-purity single crystal and polycrystalline materials by using a carbon dioxide gas laser device, and nanopowder processing of single crystal quartz, silicon, silica and carbon having a particle size of 100 nm or less is performed by means of a physical method using a carbon dioxide gas laser device rather than by a chemical method having adverse effects on the environment. In order to implement this, the present invention comprises: a material loading step of placing, on a worktable, an ultra-high-purity material to be processed; a laser head moving step of moving the head part of a carbon dioxide gas laser device over the top of the loaded ultra-high-purity material; a crushing step of crushing the ultra-high-purity material by using the carbon dioxide gas laser device through the operation of the carbon dioxide gas laser device; and a capturing step of capturing the crushed material powder.

Description

Nanopowder processing method for ultra-high-purity single-crystal and polycrystalline materials using a carbon dioxide laser

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for processing ultra-high purity materials, and more specifically, to a method for processing ultra-high purity single crystal and polycrystalline materials into nanopowder using a carbon dioxide laser, which can process ultra-high purity materials such as single crystal quartz, silicon, silica, carbon, etc. into nanoparticle size using a mechanical method rather than a conventional chemical method.

[0002] In general, quartz, a high-purity synthetic quartz, is difficult to produce with a particle size of less than 100 nm using mechanical methods, so it is mainly processed into nano-size (300 nm to 1,000 nm) using chemical methods (using strong acids and strong bases).

[0003] However, conventional chemical processing methods have problems such as high production costs, making mass production difficult, and environmental problems such as wastewater generation during the processing.

[0004] In addition, nanoparticle products produced chemically have an amorphous (non-crystalline) or polycrystalline structure rather than a single crystal structure, so there was a problem in that there were limitations in implementing the material characteristics of quartz (insulation, wear resistance, chemical resistance, insulation, etc.).

[0005] [Prior Art Literature]

[0006] [Patent Document]

[0007] (Patent Document 1) Republic of Korea Patent Registration No. 2132252 (registered on July 3, 2020)

[0008] (Patent Document 2) Republic of Korea Patent Registration No. 2044096 (registered on November 6, 2019)

[0009] The present invention has been proposed to improve the problems in the above-mentioned prior art, and has the purpose of enabling processing into a single crystal nanoparticle size that can maintain the characteristics of an ultra-high purity material using a physical method, thereby enabling application of the processed powder to various industrial fields.

[0010] The processing method of the present invention for achieving the above object is characterized by including a material loading step for placing an ultra-high purity material as a processing target on a work table; a laser head moving step for moving the head of a carbon dioxide laser machine over the loaded material; a crushing step for crushing the material using a carbon dioxide laser machine by driving the carbon dioxide laser machine; and a collecting step for collecting the crushed material powder.

[0011] The technology of the present invention exhibits the effect of processing nano powder of materials (single crystal quartz, silicon, silica, carbon, etc.) with a particle size of 100 nanometers or less by a mechanical method using a carbon dioxide laser, rather than a chemical method that has a negative impact on the environment.

[0012] In particular, it shows the advantage of being able to be used in various industrial fields because the characteristics of the material (wear resistance, chemical resistance, electrical insulation, light transmittance, antibacterial properties, material transfer function, etc.) can be maintained after processing.

[0013] Figure 1 is a flow chart of a quartz nano powder processing process according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a carbon dioxide laser processing system of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 3 is a diagram showing the state of quartz crushing processing in the present invention.

[0016] Figure 4 is a configuration diagram of the laser head portion of the present invention.

[0017] Figures 5 and 6 are test result images of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 7 is a processing process flow chart according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0020] The embodiments of the present invention may be modified in various ways, and the scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments detailed below. These embodiments are provided to more fully explain the present invention to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0021] Accordingly, the shapes of components depicted in the drawings may be exaggerated to emphasize a clearer description. It should be noted that identical components may be depicted with the same reference numerals in each drawing. Furthermore, detailed descriptions of functions and configurations of known technologies that may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention may be omitted.

[0022] First, the nano powder processing process of ultra-high purity single crystal quartz using a carbon dioxide laser according to one embodiment of the present invention is as follows through FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0023] <Materials import stage>

[0024] In the material introduction stage, the ultra-high purity material (Q) with a purity of 99.99% or higher, which is the object to be processed, is placed on the workbench (10).

[0025] That is, at this time, work is prepared by placing a quartz material (Q) that has been processed into a hexahedral shape of a certain size on the upper surface of the worktable (10), and ultra-high purity material includes quartz, silicon, silica, carbon, etc.

[0026] <Laser head movement stage>

[0027] Afterwards, the head (20) of the carbon dioxide laser is moved to an appropriate position on top of the ultra-high purity material (Q) that has been imported. It can be confirmed that the carbon dioxide laser is configured with a laser source (21) for driving the laser beam and a controller (22) for driving control.

[0028] Meanwhile, it is preferable that the head portion (20) of the present embodiment is configured with two lenses (23, 24) for focusing the laser beam supplied from the laser source (21) together with the beam nozzle portion (25).

[0029] <Crushing stage>

[0030] In this way, the material (Q) is pulverized into fine powder using a carbon dioxide laser driven by a carbon dioxide laser with a generator output of 200 to 3,200 KW or more by a laser beam. At this time, in the pulverization step, the assist gas pressure in the beam nozzle section (25) is maintained at 0.1 to 70 Mpa or more, the head section's transport speed is maintained at 3 to 100 mm / min, and the temperature is maintained at 500 to 3,000°C (conditions vary depending on the material), so that the quartz is pulverized into a nano powder form with a particle size of 1 nm to 60 nm (100 nanometers or less).

[0031] In addition, during the crushing process, it is desirable to improve the crushing efficiency by moving the laser head (20) back and forth in the horizontal and vertical directions.

[0032] <Capture stage>

[0033] Nano powders that have been pulverized in this way are captured in the capture step.

[0034] That is, at this time, nano powder collection with particle sizes of 20 to 60 nm can be performed using a vacuum suction device with a specially processed filter.

[0035] Therefore, the technical feature of the present invention is that, as confirmed through FIGS. 5 and 6, high-purity single-crystal quartz nano powder with a particle size of 100 nanometers or less is processed by a physical method using a carbon dioxide laser, rather than a chemical method that has a negative impact on the environment.

[0036] In particular, it shows the advantage of being able to be used in various industrial fields because the characteristics of the material (wear resistance, chemical resistance, electrical insulation, light transmittance, antibacterial properties, material transfer function, etc.) can be maintained after processing.

[0037] Meanwhile, FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing a single crystal material processing process according to another embodiment of the present invention, wherein, before the crushing step, an activating solution spraying step is additionally performed to spray an activating solution onto the surface of a quartz material to activate crushing using a carbon dioxide laser.

[0038] At this time, it is preferable that the active liquid to be injected be a mixed composition in a ratio of 30 to 45 wt% of ethanol, 10 to 30 wt% of titanium dioxide, 5 to 20 wt% of methyl glucoside, 10 to 20 wt% of polybenzimidazene, 1 to 20 wt% of olefin polymerized oil, and 1 to 15 wt% of ethylene glycol.

[0039] When this type of active liquid spraying step is added, the surface of the quartz material (Q) is polished by irradiating the surface of the material with a carbon dioxide laser beam while the active liquid is coated as a thin film on the surface, which allows the surface to effectively absorb the laser beam, thereby improving processing efficiency.

[0040] In particular, since the active solution contains a mixture of titanium dioxide and methyl glucoside, rapid adsorption onto the surface of the quartz material (Q) is achieved after spraying. Polybenzimidazene improves the dispersion efficiency of the active solution, allowing the active solution to be applied throughout the entire surface. The olefin polymerization oil performs a catalytic function for the carbon dioxide laser beam, allowing the carbon dioxide pressure to be transmitted evenly. In addition, the additionally added ethylene glycol exhibits an advanced effect of preventing deterioration and discoloration of the active solution, thereby preventing deterioration of the nano powder.

[0041] Nano powder processed in this way can be used as various industrial materials as follows.

[0042] The excellent heat resistance of quartz nanopowder (reaction temperature: 1,800°C) solves battery expansion problems (risk of explosion), and its single-crystal structure improves battery charge / discharge efficiency, dramatically enhancing battery performance. The global market for anode / cathode materials is expected to grow from $36.6 billion in 2023 to $81.2 billion in 2030. (Source: Yonhap News SNE Research)

[0043] Among the eight major semiconductor processes, materials for oxidation processes are expected to have an impact on the market size. The reduction in the oxidation process, which involves reacting silicon and oxygen on wafers to form an oxide film, will reduce production costs and enable the reproducibility of high-quality oxide films. Materials used in oxidation and diffusion processes account for 7% of the semiconductor front-end process materials market, and the market is expected to grow from $670 million in 2023 to $880 million in 2027. (Source: Gartner)

[0044] Expected Effects of Lubricant Additive Application Market Size: Quartz nanopowder's spherical shape reduces friction due to the bearing effect inside the engine, which improves fuel efficiency by improving piston movement, and its surface porosity reduces greenhouse gas emissions by absorbing carbon dioxide and methane gas inside the engine. The global lubricant market size is expected to reach USD 135 billion in 2020 and USD 180.21 billion by 2030, showing a compound annual growth rate (GAGR) of 3.7% during the forecast period.

[0045] Quartz nanopowder, an eco-friendly material with excellent coating properties, superior wear resistance, and excellent electrical insulation, is suitable for aerospace (radio wave blocking), ship (barnacle removal), and automotive (water-repellent coating) applications. The global paint market for automotive, aerospace, and shipbuilding applications is expected to grow to approximately $64.5 billion by 2029.

[0046] Antibacterial effects of current filters (nonwoven / MB filters) decrease over time, making it difficult to maintain a sustained antibacterial effect. Quartz nanopowder, impregnated within the fibers, maintains a 99.99% antibacterial effect by killing viruses rather than antivirals. The watch market is projected to reach $112.87 billion by 2030, growing at an average of 5.1%. The domestic market is projected to reach $346.8 billion by 2025, growing at a 12.0% rate. (Source: Grand View Research, Inc., February 2022)

[0047] Fiber (filler) product application expected effect market size: It can be applied to various products (bedding, padding, industrial, etc.) due to its strong antibacterial properties (kill viruses) and thermal and electrical insulation properties, and can exhibit excellent product effects. The global market is expected to reach USD 69 billion (approximately KRW 81.3993 trillion) by 2025, maintaining an average annual growth rate of 9.2% from 2019 to 2025. (Source: Research & Market, February 2020)

[0048] Long-fiber (yarn) product application expected effect market size: The antibacterial properties, heat resistance, and spherical structure of quartz make it possible to create functional yarns with antibacterial, water-repellent, and excellent elasticity (spandex). The market grew from 5.185 million tons in 2015 to 6.609 million tons in 2021, and is projected to grow at an average of 5.5% between 2020 and 2025. (Source: International Textile News, September 2022)

[0049] Quartz's excellent insulation properties (reaction point: 1,800°C) make it suitable for use in a variety of insulating building materials. The global building insulation market is expected to grow by 3.64% in sales and 3.35% in volume from 2022 to 2030, with the domestic market reaching KRW 153 billion in 2022. (Source: Research firm Visiongain Reports Ltd, July 2021)

[0050] Automotive Glass Coating Products: With particle sizes of less than 100 nm, they exhibit excellent coating properties and exhibit superior water-repellent properties, along with excellent abrasion and chemical resistance. The global automotive coating market is expected to reach $15 billion in 2020 and $21.6 billion in 2028, representing a compound annual growth rate of 6.3%. (Source: Stratistics Market Research Consulting, February 2023)

[0051] Barrier film (food packaging) products: Expected effects and market size: The antibacterial properties of these products, including their ability to kill viruses and their excellent insulation, can extend product freshness and extend shelf life. The global barrier film market is projected to reach $32.6172 billion in 2028, growing at an average rate of 7.4%. The domestic market is projected to reach $321.2 billion in 2022, growing 34%. (Source: Stratistics Market Research Consulting, March 2022)

[0052] Expected effects of application to household goods (toothpaste) products: Excellent antibacterial properties and a spherical structure improve teeth scaling and whitening effects. The toothpaste market is projected to reach $3.99 billion between 2020 and 2026, growing at an average of 3.40%. The domestic market is valued at approximately KRW 600 billion. (Source: TechNavio Infiniti Research Ltd, January 2022)

[0053] Expected effects of application in household products (detergents) Market size: Excellent antibacterial properties and nanoparticle coating help maintain clean skin. The watch face wash market reached approximately $14.49 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow at an average rate of 5.5% between 2022 and 2028. (Source: Bizwit Research & Consulting LLP, May 2022)

[0054] The expected effect of applying it to household goods (cosmetics) products is that it maintains clean and healthy skin with excellent antibacterial properties and nanoparticle coating. The market is expected to grow from $357.5 billion to $508.3 billion by 2027, representing a 5.95% growth rate. The domestic market is projected to reach $16.6533 trillion in 2021 (up 9.8% year-on-year). (Source: IMRC Search Private Limited, February 2022)

[0055] The expected market size of the drug delivery system (DDS) in the bio / pharmaceutical field is expected to be achieved by utilizing nanomaterials with mesoporous (mesoporous) spherical quartz nano surfaces that can deliver drugs by loading them into the pores. The demand for the mesoporous market is expected to grow from $298.06 million in 2022 to $782.33 million in 2030, with an average growth rate (GAGR) of 12.8% during the research period of 2023-2030. (Source: April 2023. Research firm: Value Market Research)

[0056] And, although specific embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated above, it is obvious that the nanopowder processing process of the present invention can be implemented in various ways by those skilled in the art.

[0057] For example, in the above embodiment, a process for powder processing of single crystal quartz has been described, but the processing technology of the present invention can be applied to processing not only quartz but also high-purity single crystal silicon, silica, carbon, etc., to produce nanopowder of the same size.

[0058] Therefore, such modified embodiments should not be understood separately from the technical spirit or scope of the present invention, and such modified embodiments should be included within the scope of the appended claims of the present invention.

[0059]

[0060] [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 10: Workbench 20: Head

[0062] 21: Laser source 22: Controller

[0063] Q: Ultra-high purity materials (quartz, silicon, carbon, silica)

Claims

1. The material introduction step of placing ultra-high purity material with a purity of 99.99% or higher, which is the target material for processing, on the workbench; A laser head movement step for moving the head of a carbon dioxide laser machine over the upper portion of the material imported above; A crushing step of crushing an ultra-high purity material into a nano powder form using a carbon dioxide laser by driving the carbon dioxide laser; A capturing step for capturing the above-mentioned pulverized nano powder; Including, but not limited to, Before the above-mentioned crushing step, an additional step of spraying an active liquid onto the surface of the material is performed to activate crushing using a carbon dioxide laser. A method for processing nano powder of ultra-high purity single crystal and polycrystalline materials using a carbon dioxide laser, characterized in that the active liquid sprayed in the above active liquid spraying step has a mixed composition of ethanol, titanium dioxide, methyl glucoside, polybenzimidazene, olefin polymerization oil, and ethylene glycol.

2. In claim 1, A method for processing nano powder of ultra-high purity single crystal and polycrystalline materials using a carbon dioxide laser, characterized in that in the above-mentioned crushing step, the materials are crushed into nano powder having a particle size of 20 to 60 nm and dispersed in the air.

3. In claim 1, A method for processing nano powder of ultra-high purity single crystal and polycrystalline materials using a carbon dioxide laser, characterized in that in the above capturing step, nano powder is captured by a vacuum suction device.

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