Evaluating arc spray process parameters to synthesize highly spherical TiO2 nanoparticles
Journal
Journal of Alloys and Compounds
Journal Volume
434-435
Journal Issue
SPEC. ISS.
Pages
663-667
Date Issued
2007
Author(s)
Abstract
This work characterizes the metal nanoparticle fabrication process using in situ nanoparticle measurement to obtain the desired geometric sphericity of nanoparticles. Without process characterization and control, the sphericity of prepared TiO2 nanoparticles varied widely by up to 10% or more of the particle diameter. Therefore, an in situ particle sampling method was employed to collect on-line prepared particles and the particle contours were obtained by FE-SEM. They were analyzed using an image processing approach that had been developed to quantify the sphericity of TiO2 nanoparticles. Experimental results indicate that the discharge energy parameters, including the operating temperature, vacuum pressure, pulsed peak voltage, pulsed peak current, the pulse on-time and the pulse off-time influence the particles' sphericity. The improved process parameters enhance the average sphericity of the prepared TiO2 particles by up to 40%. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
SDGs
Type
journal article