Modern smartphone screens are made of artificial sapphires (monocrystalline corundum) based on high purity aluminum oxide. There is no large-capacity production of this material in Russia, which is why domestic companies have to import it at high prices.
"Scientists at NUST MISIS have devised a profitable and safe technology for the production of high purity aluminum oxide. We have patented this highly effective import-replacing technology, which will allow supplying Russian producers with the necessary amount of monocrystalline corundum for the production of light emitting diodes and protective screens for modern gadgets," the statement says.
"We have analyzed the most promising methods for producing high purity aluminum oxide based on the hydrolysis of aluminum alkoxides, hydrothermal oxidation and anodic dissolution. The last-mentioned appears to be the best for commercial use and also has few requirements regarding the feedstock," said Andrei Lysenko, project director and assistant professor at the university's chair of non-ferrous metals and gold.
NUST MISIS scientists have created experimental equipment and produced an experimental batch of high purity aluminum oxide with the content of the main component estimated at 99.995 percent.
It is a low-impact and low-energy technology that is also safer than other similar technologies because it does not directly threaten humans and the environment, the statement says. Since the technology is simple and the equipment is relatively cheap, large amounts of feedstock can be created for the Russian producers of artificial sapphires.
