Sumitomo Osaka Cement Co of Japan has created nanometer-size zirconia granules for anti-glare coatings on displays. The new zirconia granules are only 3 nanometers in diameter but retain the same high 2.19 refractive index of typical zirconia granules.
These granules usually have diameters of 120-130 nanometers. But by introducing a new procedure during the process of neutral co-precipitation, the company has developed what it claims is the first method in the world for mass-producing zirconia granules in single-digit nanometer sizes.
Sumitomo Osaka Cement will install new equipment and begin mass production in May at an initial rate of 50kg a month. The firm plans to expand production to roughly 1-2 tons a month as it develops new applications for the material.
