Nanostructured devices from ceramic nanomaterials

Abstract

Nanostructured devices with a domain size less than 500 nanometers and low cost manufacturing methods for preparing these are provided. Applications of nanostructured binary oxides, ternary oxides, quaternary oxides, polyatomic forms of oxides, carbides, nitrides, borides, chalcogenides, halides, silicides and phosphides.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A method of preparing a nanostructured device comprising: 
 providing ceramic nanostructured powders;    forming a nanostructured device comprising of the ceramic nanostructured powders, wherein the nanostructured device has a domain size of less than 500 nanometers; and    wherein the forming step comprises processing said ceramic nanostructured powders under conditions that retain domain confinement effects in the nanostructured device.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nanostructured device has a domain size of less than 100 nanometers.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said ceramic is selected from the group consisting of: binary oxides, ternary oxides, quaternary oxides, polyatomic forms of oxides, carbides, nitrides, borides, chalcogenides, halides, silicides and phosphides.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said ceramic comprises oxygen.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said ceramic is stoichiometric.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said ceramic is non-stoichiometric.  
     
     
         7 . A product comprising of the nanostructured device prepared by the method of  claim 1.