Generation of aluminum nanoparticles using an atmospheric pressure plasma torch

Abstract

An atmospheric pressure plasma torch was utilized for the generation of aluminum nanoparticles. A three-factor, two-level designed experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of plasma gas flow rate, aerosol gas flow rate, and applied power on the shape, size, and size distribution of the final particles. Relative particle velocities were estimated to equal the thermal velocity of the particles. The results indicate that viscous forces only play a role in particle collisions over a limited particle size range.