Page 13 - Synthesis of Functional Nanoparticles Using an Atmospheric Pressure Microplasma Process - LiangLiang Lin

Introduction - Plasma and Microplasma-assisted Nanofabrication
Chapter 1
Introduction - Plasma and Microplasma-assisted Nanofabrication
This chapter is based on:
Lin L, Wang Q. Microplasma: a new generation of technology for functional nanomaterial synthesis.
Plasma Chem Plasma Process. 2015;35(6):925-962.
Abstract
The synthesis of nanomaterials has been of long standing interest, primarily induced by their novel and unique properties that differ considerably from bulk materials. Despite various methods have been developed, it is still a challenge to produce high quality inorganic metallic, metal oxides and metal nitrides nanoparticles with controllable properties in a simple, cost- effective and environmental benign manner. As a promising technique for nanofabrication, microplasma has been attracting significant attentions from various fields owing to its unique characteristics, comprising the high-pressure operation, non-equilibrium chemistry, continuous-flow, microscale geometry and self-organization phenomena. In this chapter, firstly the conventional methods for nanomaterials synthesis and their associated pros and cons are discussed. This is followed by the introduction of plasma and plasma-assisted nanofabrication technique. Afterwards, four main existing microplasma configurations used for nanoparticles synthesis are reviewed, including hollow-electrode microdischarges, microplasma jets with external electrodes, microplasma jets with consumable electrodes and plasma-liquid systems. Finally, a brief introduction of related nanomaterials applications as well as the research aim and scope is presented.
1