Engineering Physics

13.5 Production of nanoparticle

Nanoparticles can be produced by a number of ways. They are described below:

(i)  Plasma arcing

Plasma is an ionized gas. Plasma can be produced by the discharge of gas between two electrodes, so that the gas dissociates into electrons and positive ions. Using plasma arcing, very thin films of the order of atomic dimensions can be deposited on the surface of an electrode. This deposition is carried in vacuum or in an inert gas. An arc passes from one electrode to the other. The first electrode [anode] vapourizes, so positively charged ions are produced. These ions deposit on the cathode. By using carbon electrodes, carbon nanotubes can be formed on the surface of the cathode. A mixture of conducting and non-conducting ...