title: Formation and in situ sizing of gamma-Fe2O3 nanoparticles in a microwave flow reactor.
abstract: Nanocrystalline gamma-Fe2O3 particles were produced in a microwave flow reactor. The reaction of iron pentacarbonyl [Fe(CO)5] with the plasma gases Ar/O2 to form nanosized particles was followed by in situ particle mass spectrometry. The particle mass spectrometer combines a nonintrusive sampling technique with a calibration-free mass determination. The influence of process parameters like microwave power, precursor concentration, and pressure on the particle size was studied. The results reveal a mean particle diameter in the range of 4-5 nm with a slight dependence on the process parameter. The geometric standard deviation of the measured size distribution was always between 1.1 and 1.2.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Verbrennung und Gasdynamik, Gerhard-Mercator-Universität Duisburg, 47048 Duisburg, Germany.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Janzen
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wiggers
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Knipping
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Roth
mesh_terms: D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods*; D004735:Energy Transfer; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000528:radiation effects*; D005740:Gases / Q000737:chemistry; D006358:Hot Temperature; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008863:Microspheres; D008872:Microwaves; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D010316:Particle Size; D012212:Rheology / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D005290:Ferric Compounds; D005740:Gases; C000499:ferric oxide