Production of high-purity nano-alumina

PROJECT COST:

902 766 $

PRIMA CONTRIBUTION:

405 417 $

PROJECT DETAILS:

High-purity alumina (HPA, >99.99%) is in strong demand for use in lithium-ion batteries, where it is applied as a coating material on anodes, cathodes, or ceramic separator layers between the anode and cathode. However, nano-scale HPA is of greater interest than standard HPA. For example, its use enables thinner coatings, thereby reducing battery weight. In addition, nano-HPA exhibits a lower sintering temperature (approximately 1300 °C compared with 1800 °C), which allows significant energy savings in the bioceramics industry.

The objective of the project led by Professor Mohammad Latifi of Polytechnique Montréal, in collaboration with AEM Technologies, is to investigate an economically viable and commercially scalable process to produce nano-HPA. The expected outcome may include one of the following approaches: (1) a pyrometallurgical process, such as spray roasting of an aluminum salt solution; (2) a hydrometallurgical process, such as the precipitation of boehmite from an aluminum salt solution; or (3) post-treatment of standard HPA through ball milling, with or without the use of ultrasonic assistance.

Nano-HPA with particle sizes below 500 nm is considered a high-value product in the global market. If successful, this project will position AEM as a pioneer in the supply of this critical material in Quebec. Currently, the Japanese company Taimei Chemicals Co. is the only producer of nano-alumina with particle sizes below 100 nm, and this material is sold at a price approximately ten times higher than that of standard HPA.

The project will also contribute to training highly qualified personnel, including eight students: three undergraduate students, one master’s student, and four postdoctoral researchers.