Spark discharge generator as a stable and reliable nanoparticle synthesis device: Analysis of the impact of process and circuit variables on the characteristics of synthesized nanoparticles

Nanotechnology offers the promise of harnessing quantum properties not available in the bulk phase. These desirable properties are highly dependent on size and composition. Generators that control these variables are therefore essential for progress in the field. The spark discharge generator (SDG) is an outstanding aerosol route for nanoparticle synthesis, which stands out due to its fast kinetics, scalability, high purity, accuracy and reproducibility, with the added advantage of allowing the synthesis of nanoparticles of any conducting material. These advantages are a consequence of its vast heating and cooling rates, its intrinsic and easily controllable electronic variables at the reach of a click. However, the mechanistic impact of these variables on the actual aerosol generated is still not fully understood. In this work, we constructed an SDG and systematically studied its behavior with particular interest in the effect that resistance, capacitance, inductance, flow rate, gap separation and current have on the electrical behavior of the spark. Our model system produced primarily Fe and Cu nanoparticles with measured concentrations ranging 5*10⁵ – 2*10⁷ part/cm³, and mean agglomerate sizes of 5 – 80 nm. We discuss how the spark influences particle size and number concentration and provide useful correlations that link dependent with independent variables. Remarkably, a finite resistance produces a maximum in the output of the generated aerosols. This suggests a direct link between RLC properties of the circuit and cabling into the frequency of the spark, and nanoparticle number concentration, indicating potential for exploiting such behavior towards maximizing nanoparticle generation. Furthermore, we discuss a link between spark oscillations and energy release with its consequent aerosol generation.     

基于FPGA的多通道动态光散射自相关器的研制

为提高多角度动态光散射(MDLS)实验的测试效率与测量精度,开发了一种基于现场可编程门阵列(FPGA)的多通道动态光散射自相关器。该自相关器利用FPGA同时采集4个散射角度的光子脉冲信号,实现高频脉冲计数和自相关计算;设计双计数器模块保证高频无丢失计数,结合片内环形寄存区与片外DDR3芯片实现动态存储数据;提出multi-tau相关器结构设计自相关器的相关计算模块,通过USB通信模块传输自相关计算结果。该自相关器利用有限的FPGA内部硬件资源,实现了多通道自相关运算,解决了大量计数数据的存储问题,提高了MDLS实验的测试效率。利用自相关器对50～200 nm的聚苯乙烯颗粒进行MDLS实验,实验结果与样品的标称粒径表现出良好的一致性,表明该设计能有效地表征颗粒粒径信息。     

Examination of Au/SnO2 core-shell architecture nanoparticle for low temperature gas sensing applications

Au/SnO₂ core-shell structure nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized using two methods, microwave and conventional precipitation. In both cases, the size of the Au core was 12-18 nm and the thickness of the SnO₂ shell was 8-12 nm. The particle size of SnO₂ synthesized using the microwave and precipitation method was 3-5 nm and 1-2 nm, respectively. Upon heating to 400-600 °C, both particles maintained their core-shell morphology but the smaller SnO₂ particles prepared using the precipitation method were more sintered. The resistance changes in films of these particles were measured as a function of CO concentration. The Au/SnO₂ particles prepared using the microwave method showed higher sensor response than those prepared using the precipitation method, even providing a significant signal at testing temperatures approaching ambient conditions, thereby affording a new class of material for gas sensing. Both sets of core-shell particles showed higher sensor response than the SnO₂ nanoparticles. The role of the Au core as a catalyst in improving the adsorption and oxidation of CO gas is important for improving the low temperature response. In addition, the maintenance of the size of SnO₂ in the microwave method during sintering contributed to the higher response towards CO sensing.     

Nanoparticle-based lift-off technique for ultra-thin nanoporous film preparation

Ultra-thin membrane with nanoscale through hole has great potential in biomedical applications, where precise controllability of porosity, pore size and film thickness is urgently required. The present work proposed a cost-effective way to prepare the ultra-thin nanoporous film with a promising controllability. Monodispersed nanoparticle, rather than photoresist, is used as the sacrificial material for this new lift-off process. By releasing the particles, holes can be achieved with predeter-mined characters. A 110 nm-thick nanoporous aluminum film with well-controlled pore＇s diameter was successfully fabricated to validate the technique. The technique has wider process window and better applicability than other nanofabrication methods.     

Nanoparticle‐embedded polymer‐dispersed liquid crystal for paper‐like displays

Abstract— A polymer‐dispersed liquid‐crystal (PDLC) matrix template embedded with nano/microparticles can be backfilled/infiltrated with a dye‐doped liquid crystal for a paper‐like reflective display. In this way, a desirable degree of diffusion can be realized to reduce the viewing‐angle dependency of a gain reflector and metallic glare without changing other electro‐optical properties.     

（RbCl）108离子簇均相成核的分子动力学研究

分子动力学模拟测得熔融（RbCl)108离子簇在300K至600K温度时凝固的成核速率大于10^35m^-3s^-1,用均相成核的经典理论加以分析,估算得氯化铷离子簇的固液界面自由能σalT^1.4,用Grunasy提出的扩散界面理论加以分析,估算得扩展界面厚度约为0．195nm,σalT^0.97,2个理论在实验温度范围内没有明显判别,且均能较好地分子动力学模型的结果,但预测的较高温度下的成核速率有比较显著区别,因此进一步地研究将有助于鉴别它们。     

Nickel layer deposition on SiC nanoparticles by simple electroless plating and its dielectric behaviors

Surface modification of the silicon carbide nanoparticles (SiC_P) by electroless nickel plating was performed. The XRD, TEM and XPS results showed that a nanoscale agglomerative nickel layer was coated on the SiC_P. Dielectric permittivities of the original SiC_P and nickel-coated SiC_P were measured respectively in the GHz frequency range from 8 to 12 GHz. The real part and dielectric loss tangent of the nickel-coated SiC_P were significantly enhanced. The origin of the enhancement was discussed in theory, and also explained by discussing practical influence factors.     

反胶束体系中水团的笼效应

在反胶束体系中研究了菁染料的吸收光谱以及ω值对菁染料荧光光谱的影响．讨论了不同粒径的AgCl纳米粒子对反胶束体系中菁染料的吸附状态及J-聚集体形成的影响．特别研究了反胶束水团空间限定效应对菁染料荧光量子产率及J-聚集体的影响。     

Theoretical and experimental study of the thermal conductivity of nanoporous media

The nanoparticle thermal conductivity and nanoscale thermal contact resistance were investigated by molecular dynamics(MD) simulations to further understand nanoscale porous media thermal conductivity.Macroscale porous media thermal conductivity models were then revised for nanoporous media.The effective thermal conductivities of two packed beds with nanoscale nickel particles and a packed bed with microscale nickel particles were then measured using the Hot Disk.The measured results show that the nano/microscale porous media thermal conductivities were much less than the thermal conductivities of the solid particles.Comparison of the measured and calculated results shows that the revised combined parallel-series model and the revised Hsu-Cheng model can accurately predict the effective thermal conductivities of micro-and nanoparticle packed beds.     

基于FDTD的三角形银纳米颗粒阵列等离子共振吸收特性的模拟

利用时域有限差分法,数值模拟了银纳米三角阵列的等离子共振吸收特性,仿真计算了银纳米颗粒尺寸大小对阵列等离子体共振的影响.数值计算结果表明,三角形银纳米颗粒阵列的等离子共振吸收峰随颗粒尺寸的增大而红移,可通过改变颗粒大小调节共振吸收波长数值以用于不同的应用研究.基于FDTD理论模拟的计算结果与实验规律基本相符,并较好地阐释了银纳米三角有序阵列表面等离子共振吸收峰的频移与其纳米粒子长径比之间的一些依赖关系,此结论将有利于纳米光传感器应用的进一步探索研究.