Near Infrared Reflectance Properties of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles

Abstract

Powders of nanocrystalline metal oxides were compared with common macrocrystalline powders and minerals for their ability to reflect near-infrared light (NIR) (750−2500 nm). The nanocrystalline metal oxides were found to possess higher NIR reflectance values (∼15−20%) and this can be attributed to their smaller crystallite sizes coupled with smaller mean aggregate sizes in accordance with the Kubelka−Munk theory.