Thermal barrier coating nanopowder increases efficiency of gas engines

(Nanowerk News) Researchers produced nanopowder (nanoparticles) that has application in increasing the efficiency of gas engines and turbines ("Synthesis and characterization of non-transformable tetragonal YSZ nanopowder by means of Pechini method for thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) applications").
The nanopowder is used as thermal block in these devices and can be produced through a simple and economical method.
Increasing the efficiency of space engines and gas turbines requires increase in operational temperature. The inlet turbine temperature for advanced aerospace engines and industrial gas turbines is nowadays higher than 1300°C. This temperature is higher than the range of melting temperature of basic super alloys such as nickel, the main component of aerodynamic pieces of high pressure turbine. In these devices, operational temperature can be reduced by using thermal block coatings with low thermal conductivity. Nanostructured ceramic coatings simplify the achievement of this goal due to their reduced thermal conduction and high thermal extension coefficient, which are very desirable parameters for thermal block coatings.
In this research, yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) nanopowder has been produced through sol-gel method, and it was investigated.
The aim of the research was to produce ceramic zirconia nanopowder to be used in thermal block coatings. Only a few companies in the world can produce this material at the moment, and due to the international sanctions, it is very difficult to import this material from other countries to be used in various industries.
This product can be used in the production of gas turbines for aerospace purposes. For instance, the product can be used in the production of blades of turbines in various airplanes, and in the turbines of electrical power plants.
Source: INIC