Surface modification and functionalization of powder materials by atomic layer deposition: a review

Area of Science:

• Materials Science and Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Powder materials are crucial industrial materials requiring surface modification for enhanced performance.
• Challenges in powder surface engineering include high surface area, diffusion limitations, and particle agglomeration.
• Atomic layer deposition (ALD) offers precise, conformal thin-film coating capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the unique capabilities of ALD in surface engineering of powder materials.
• To highlight advances in ALD reactor design for powder fabrication.
• To showcase diverse applications of ALD-modified powders.

Main Methods:

• Review of Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) principles and its application to powder materials.
• Analysis of ALD reactor designs tailored for powder processing.
• Compilation of applications demonstrating ALD's efficacy in powder functionalization.

Main Results:

• ALD enables angstrom-level thickness control and conformal coating on complex powder structures.
• ALD overcomes traditional challenges in powder surface modification.
• ALD-fabricated powders show enhanced properties for various applications.

Conclusions:

• ALD is a versatile and effective technique for the surface engineering of powder materials.
• ALD facilitates the development of advanced powders for catalysts, batteries, energetic materials, and medicine.
• This review provides insights into ALD principles, methods, and effects for powder fabrication.