title: Optimization of a transferred arc reactor for metal nanoparticle synthesis.
abstract: The demand for metal nanoparticles is increasing strongly. Transferred arc synthesis is a promising process in this respect, as it shows high production rates, good quality particles and the ability of up-scaling. The influence of several process parameters on the performance of the process in terms of production rate and particle size is investigated. These parameters are the electrode design and adjustment, the gas flow rate and power input. A novel feeding mechanism allows process operation over an extended time period. It is shown that the process is capable of producing pure metal nanoparticles with variable primary particle sizes and comparatively high production rates. Optimal process conditions for a single transferred arc electrode pair are found, which allow further scale-up by numbering up.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Technology for Nanostructures (NST) and Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CENIDE), University of Duisburg-Essen, Bismarckstr.81, 47057 Duisburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stein
authors.affiliation: Institute of Technology for Nanostructures (NST) and Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CENIDE), University of Duisburg-Essen, Bismarckstr.81, 47057 Duisburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Frank Einar
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Kruis
keywords: Crucible design; Metal nanoparticles; Plasma synthesis; Production rate; Transferred arc