Page 53 - Synthesis of Functional Nanoparticles Using an Atmospheric Pressure Microplasma Process - LiangLiang Lin

Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Synthesis and Mechanism Study - a Proof-of-Concept Model Study
Chapter 3
Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Synthesis and Mechanism Study - a Proof-of-Concept Model Study
This chapter is based on:
Lin L, Starostin SA, Hessel V, Wang Q. Synthesis of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles in Microplasma under
Atmospheric Pressure. Chemical Engineering Science. 2017;168:360-371.
Abstract
In this chapter a novel microplasma based technological platform was applied for iron oxide nanoparticle synthesis. The setup is specially designed with overall safety considerations and to provide broad operation space, including a module-design micro reactor system which allows for flexible process control, easy assembling and direct product collection. The atmospheric pressure gas discharge was sustained in Ar flow with addition of ferrocene vapors as a precursor. The influence of the power dissipated in the discharge and the precursor concentration on the propduct properties and the dissociation process is investigated. Optical emission spectroscopy (OES) is applied to study the impact of discharge parameters on plasma characteristics and possible mechanism of the ferrocene dissociation. The obtained products are characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution TEM (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Results show that nanometer-sized and well-dispersed iron oxide nanoparticles with polycrystalline nature can be produced by the atmospheric pressure microplasma setup. The increase of dissipated power and precursor vapor pressure helps to enhance the precursor dissociation rate. However, it also contributes to the production of larger sized nanoparticles with higher agglomeration degree. Based on experimental data, simplified modeling as well as relevant information from literature, possible mechanisms for ferrocene decomposition were discussed.
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