【Frontiers in HaiChuan Chemical Technology】China pioneers key technologies for terahertz-wave-modified new materials

According to Lu Tao, the technical director of Zhudong Jiuzhou Company, it is a technology-based enterprise specialized in the research, development, and promotion of high-tech solutions. Leveraging the high-quality research resources in the Beijing area, the company has actively collaborated with relevant universities and other research institutions to develop key technologies for the industrial application of terahertz waves. First, this technology was successfully applied to the field of high-temperature calcination, using terahertz waves for pretreatment to promote sintering densification. This technology not only reduces the energy consumption required for sintering tiles by about 8%, but it also significantly increases the strength of the tiles. Without compromising any of their properties, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the tiles by 20%, thereby achieving cost savings and improved efficiency with notable results. In silicon steel sheets, magnesium oxide powder is primarily used for insulating coatings, as a barrier during high-temperature annealing, and to improve magnetic properties. When modified using terahertz technology, it can significantly enhance the performance of the insulating coatings. Improve the isolation effect of high-temperature annealing, enhance the isolation effect of high-temperature annealing, optimize magnetic properties, and improve mechanical properties. Through modification, the particle distribution and surface activity of magnesium oxide powder can be optimized, enabling it to form a more uniform and dense insulating coating on the surface of silicon steel sheets. This improves the insulating properties of the silicon steel sheets, reduces leakage current, and lowers eddy current losses. Improve the adhesion and high-temperature resistance of the coating ； Refining the particle size of magnesium oxide powder improves its dispersibility, thereby preventing the adhesion of silicon steel sheets more effectively during high-temperature annealing. Improving the surface quality of silicon steel sheets after annealing ； Optimize the surface chemical properties of magnesium oxide powder to promote the formation of a more ideal magnetic domain structure in silicon steel sheets during annealing. It can also significantly reduce iron loss, save energy and resources, and improve the efficiency of motors and transformers ； Increase the activity of magnesium oxide powder and enhance its bonding strength with the silicon steel sheet matrix, thereby improving the mechanical strength of the silicon steel sheet ； Improve the corrosion resistance of silicon steel sheets. A more dense insulating coating can effectively prevent external corrosive agents from coming into contact with the silicon steel matrix ； It further enhances the chemical stability of magnesium oxide, enabling it to resist more effectively the erosion by corrosive agents such as acids and bases, and thus protecting the silicon steel matrix from damage.

Bamboo carbon boards manufactured using terahertz waves to activate the bamboo carbon powder exhibit significant improvements in physical properties, chemical activity, and functionality compared to conventional bamboo carbon boards that were not activated in this way. Before activation, the specific surface area of conventional bamboo charcoal powder is approximately 300–500 m²/g; its pore structure is dominated by micropores, with an uneven pore size distribution, which limits its adsorption efficiency. After activation with terahertz waves, the specific surface area of bamboo charcoal can be increased to 600–800 m²/g, or even higher. Terahertz waves facilitate the transition of micropores to mesopores/macropores, resulting in a multi-level pore structure that enhances the adsorption capacity for macromolecular pollutants such as formaldehyde and VOCs. The adsorption rate increases by 30%-50%, and the saturated adsorption capacity increases by more than 20%. In terms of mechanical properties, before enhancement, the flexural strength of ordinary bamboo carbon sheets was approximately 15–25 MPa. Its wear resistance is average, and it tends to become brittle due to a loose internal structure. After activation, the flexural strength increases to 30–40 MPa, and terahertz waves improve the dispersion of carbon powder as well as the interfacial bonding strength. Wear resistance increases by 20%-30%, as terahertz wave treatment reduces toner agglomeration and enhances the bonding density with the matrix material.   In terms of antibacterial and antifungal properties, before enhancement, it relied on the weak antibacterial capacity of bamboo charcoal itself (primarily based on physical adsorption, without any active bactericidal ability). The mold resistance grade meets the Class II standard of GB/T 35601-2017. After activation, terahertz waves stimulate the functional groups on the surface of carbon powder (such as carboxyl and hydroxyl groups), enhancing the interaction with microbial cell membranes; the antibacterial efficiency can reach over 90% against organisms such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The anti-mold grade can be upgraded to Level I (long-term antibacterial effect). In terms of far-infrared radiation and negative ion emission. Before activation, the far-infrared emissivity is approximately 0.7–0.8 at room temperature. The anion emission rate is 500-1000 per/cm³. After activation, the far-infrared emissivity increases to 0.85–0.95; by regulating the vibration modes of the carbon lattice using terahertz waves, the amount of negative ions released can reach 2000–3000 per/cm³. In terms of thermal stability and flame retardancy, before activation, the thermal decomposition temperature is approximately 300–350°C. The oxygen index (LOI) is 22-24 (flammable). After activation, the thermal decomposition temperature increases to over 400°C (terahertz waves enhance the degree of graphitization). Its oxygen index can reach 28–30, placing it in the flame-retardant category, making it more suitable for environments with high temperatures or strict fire safety requirements.

Lü Tao explained that to date, Zhumeng Jiuzhou Company has, in collaboration with various chemical and new material enterprises, successfully carried out experimental studies on the use of bio-based and inorganic material chemicals such as bamboo carbon boards and silicon steel magnesium oxide for modifying industrial applications in regions like Zhejiang and Hebei. These experiments yielded positive results, with many performance indicators seeing significant improvements. The research findings indicate that terahertz technology can also be used to modify chemical products such as titanium dioxide, silica, calcium carbonate, coatings, sodium humate, and potassium humate, thereby improving the quality of these products. Terahertz-wave-modified titanium dioxide, by optimizing its electromagnetic properties and surface structure, outperforms traditional products in terms of high-frequency communication, weather resistance, and dispersibility, and is particularly suitable for 6G technologies and high-end industrial applications. Its technological breakthroughs not only improve the properties of the materials but also provide innovative solutions for various application scenarios. Lü Tao added. Terahertz waves possess a certain thermal effect, which can cause some chemical bonds on the surface of silica to break and re-form, thereby altering the surface’s chemical structure and the distribution of active sites, as well as increasing the number and activity of surface functional groups. The electric field component of terahertz waves can also interact with the charge distribution on the silica surface, affecting the distribution and migration of surface charges. A resonance effect is generated, which increases the amplitude of vibration in molecules or lattices, leading to slight changes in their internal structure such as adjustments in the pore structure and changes in surface roughness. This in turn increases the specific surface area, thereby enhancing their performance in areas such as catalysis. The energy of terahertz waves can also induce defects within silica, such as oxygen vacancies. Alter the electronic structure of silica to give it higher chemical reactivity. Defects such as oxygen vacancies can serve as adsorption sites, enhancing the ability to adsorb reactant molecules; they also facilitate the transfer of electrons, thereby promoting the progress of catalytic reactions.

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