Nanoparticles Application in Promoting the Growth of a More Protective Oxide Scale at High Temperatures

Owing to a very high surface-to-volume ratio, nanoparticles (NPs) have unique physical and chemical properties distinguishable from those of their bulk counterparts. They have become innovative constituents in the strategy of designing and developing advanced functional materials and medical materials. So far, there have been few studies on the theory and practice of applying NPs to promote the growth of a more protective oxide scale at high temperatures. In this contribution, we report the research progress by application of specific metal and metal oxide NPs in: (i) developing chromia- and alumina-forming coatings; (ii) facilitating the selective oxidation of alloys; (iii) assisting direct thermal growth of α-alumina on Ni–Al intermetallic compounds; and (iv) increasing the oxidation resistance of thermally-grown oxides.