Inorganic Core-Shell-Particles by Wet-Chemical Processes

As can be shown by the rapid development of scientific subjects like microtechnology and nanotechnology, there is a continuous tendency in microstructuring advanced materials. In most cases, the detailed structurization of powdery solids (like precursors for ceramic components or additives for plastics and elastomers) can be advantageously performed on the level of individual particles. The core-shell or microcapsules structure is an example for microstructures at particle dimensions having multiple application potentials. The coating of an original particle (core) by a shell-forming compound results in a partial or complete masking or modifying of the primary chemical, physical or sensoric properties of the core material by those of the shell material. It is of highest priority that the resulting microcapsule exhibits the properties of both core and shell materials, either permanently or time-delayed. The studies presented here aim at inorganic core-shell s ystems suitable as functional filling agents, pigments or powdery ceramic precursors for innovative material applications. The most interesting substances taken into consideration as inorganic coating materials are sparingly soluble or insoluble metal oxides and metal carbonates that can be transformed into oxides by successive calcination steps.