Titanium Fiber Paper; Tough Stuff
by Tim McGee, Helena, MT, USA on 10.10.06
Really tough. Paper is usually made out of pulped plant tissues. Almost any fiber like structure can be pulped into paper, and the latest example is using titanium dioxide nano-fibers to create a paper-like product that can withstand 700 degrees Celsius, making the paper fire resistant. In addition, due to the fun properties of titanium dioxide it is also self-cleaning in UV light, and could act as a re-usable sterile filter.
The press release from the University of Arkansas adds:
"...researchers have created assemblies of nanowires that show potential in applications such as armor, flame-retardant fabric, bacteria filters, oil cracking, controlled drug release, decomposition of pollutants and chemical warfare agents."
The paper is produced by combining Tio2 in an alkali solution (possibly lye). The product mixture is placed in a Teflon container and let to sit at 200-300 C for a few days. This enables the solution to evaporate, and something about the Teflon, or the alkali solution probably directs the Ti02 to form nano-fibers. The fibers are rinsed with water, and while still a pulp, made into a paper; sounds easy. The process is as non-toxic as many paper making schemes, and I can already imagine trying the heating step with a solar oven.
The possible products of this kind of paper will challenge the role normal paper plays. Instead the self-cleaning filter capability of TiO2 might take precedence, as it lends itself to medical and pollution control situations. The paper is also capable of being molded into 3-dimensional shapes. What about origami with titanium paper? We already have solar cells using TiO2, as well as pollution eating concrete. Now we have fire resistant, self cleaning, pollution eating, photo-voltaic possibilities(?), paper.
The scientists are looking for ways to commercialize this product. My first suggestion is to get a nice picture of the paper not catching on fire. Whatever their marketing scheme, keep your eyes peeled for titanium dioxide paper products in the future. ::University of Arkansas
Interesting yes. But we should keep in mind that Titanium mining is messy and that benefaction/processsing to TiO is very energy intensive.
This process sounds extremely energy intensive. Coupled with the high cost of titanium, I would expect this stuff to be used only in very specialized applications.
Aj
It sounds like a very intensive and not too enviro friendly process to get TiO2
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titanium#Isolation
Hmmm... I can buy 1lb of TiO2 on ebay for under $10. I'm sure a large scale purchase would be cheaper. I'm also assuming 1lb of Ti02 = 1lb of paper. This doesn't seem too expensive. I would be interested to see the life span, uses, and energy input needed for each option. Ask pablo?
Inexpensiveness doesn't equal greenness.
TiO2 is already widely used as a pigment, providing whiteness and opacity to paints, plastics, PAPER, inks, fibres, food, cosmetics, and sunscreens.
Right now, environmental applications of TiO2 is a very popular research topic in the academic world (http://www.ehponline.org/docs/2001/109-4/innovations.html). However, I can't find any good information on the environmental impacts of TiO2 production. Does anybody have the data?
Tim-
$10 a pound would be very expensive for a paper feedstock, since wood pulp costs much less. Also, the processing is more complicated and thus more expensive than wood.
Aj
Aj -
Don't forget that if we calculate the "true cost" of paper, we'd find that paper isn't quite so cheap. Yes, we'd have to do the same for this titani-paper, but it's not clear that it would be more expensive.
Aj -
Don't forget that if we calculate the "true cost" of paper, we'd find that paper isn't quite so cheap. Yes, we'd have to do the same for this titani-paper, but it's not clear that it would be more expensive.
Hmmm, wonder what happens when you breathe in some of these nano-fibers (say, if a kid gets a hold of one, etc)? Something similar to asbestosis?
Hopefully there's a fair bit of research done before they start cranking stuff out...
(oops, meant to mention the kid example ripping it releasing a puff of nanofibers into the air to be breathed in, or any other method of releasing them from the paper)...
DuPont makes a lot of the titanium dioxide in the world. The process they use is responsible for 1/2 the dioxin in the TRI reports for the entire US... I'd say it would be an interesting cost benefit analysis. Do a search on DuPont, titanium and dioxin. here is one link you'll find: http://www.sierraclub.org/tv/delisle_injustice.asp
Overmat- great suggestion. I looked into the toxicology.
for example:
http://toxsci.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/91/1/227
Basically, the research to date shows that if you are going to be inhaling TiO2 in large doses you want to be a hamster, not a rat. But, it also shows TiO2 (the kind everywhere these days) causes inflammation (as do most particles at that conc/size), and nobody really thinks it causes cancer...