Combustion synthesis of SiO2 nanoparticles using flat premixed flame

Abstract

Recently, numerous researches have actively progressed for producing nanoparticles such as SiO2, TiO2, and Al2O3 used in various commercial applications. In particular, SiO2 nanoparticle is widely used for the fiber optics, pigment and dye, ceramic semiconductor industries. Synthesis of SiO2 by combustion process using gas-phase silane as a precursor is very attractive because the flame aerosol method can be easily scaled up to mass production and economically feasible. Therefore it is necessary to investigate the fundamental research such as nuclei inception, coagulation, coalescence, and morphology during combustion synthesis for the nanoparticle formation. In this study, we performed experimental research to generate the SiO2 nanoparticle using the methane - hydrogen flat premixed flame which can show the effect of hydrogen on the formation of SiO2 nanoparticles especially. We found out the effect of the H2 content in the fuel mixture on the characteristics of SiO2 particle formation when the optimum condition of the flat surface flame is satisfied. Measurements of the particle morphology and size by TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy) showed that the hydrogen enhancement in fuel mixture was likely to prevent aggregation process of SiO2 primary particles effectively.