Article having nano-scaled structures and a process for making such article

Abstract

A process for producing an article having modified optical, chemical, and/or physical properties is disclosed. The process includes (a) fluidizing a starting material; (b) forcing the fluidized starting material toward the article; and (c) passing the fluidized starting material through a high energy zone. The passing step can occur before the forcing step; after the forcing step but before the fluidizing material comes in contact with the surface of the article; and/or after the forcing step and after the fluidized material comes in contact with the surface of the article. The properties of the article are modified because the article has nano-scaled structures distributed on the surface of the article and/or at least partially embedded in the article.

1 . A process for producing an article, comprising: 
 fluidizing an organometallic solution by atomizing the organometallic solution into an aerosol;    passing the fluidized material through a high energy zone selected from the group consisting of a hot wall reactor or a combustion reactor; and    forcing the fluidized material toward a glass substrate using a moving gas stream, the glass substrate having a temperature between 700° F. and 2100° F.,    wherein a finished article has nano-scaled structures distributed in a surface of the glass substrate or at least partially embedded in the glass substrate.    
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the organometallic solution is selected from organometallic solutions comprising at least one of titanium iso-propoxide, tetraethyl orthosilicate, hydrogen tetrachloroaurate (III) trihydrate, cobalt nitrate, and metal oxides.  
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 2 , wherein the metal oxides are selected from oxides of cerium, titanium, zinc, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the organometallic solution comprises nano-scaled structures.  
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the process is an on-line production process.  
     
     
         6 - 18 . (canceled)