Experimental Analysis and Characterization of High-Purity Aluminum Nanoparticles (Al-NPs) by Electromagnetic Levitation Gas Condensation (ELGC).

Rana Sabouni Tabari,Mohammad Halali,Mohammad Hassan Khanjanpour,Akbar A Javadi

doi:10.3390/nano10102084

Rana Sabouni Tabari, Mohammad Halali + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10102084

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Abstract

The production of high-purity aluminum nanoparticles (Al-NPs) is challenging due to the highly reactive nature of Al metals. Electromagnetic levitation gas condensation (ELGC) is a promising method to produce high-purity metallic particles as it avoids the interaction between molten metal and refractory-lined, which guarantees the removal of impurities such as oxygen (O). In this research, high-purity Al-NPs were successfully fabricated via ELGC process and fully characterized. The effects of power input and gas flow rate on particle size and distribution were analyzed using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The results showed that the Al-NPs have spherical morphologies with an average diameter of 17 nm and size distribution of NPs is narrow under helium (He) flow rate of 15 L/min at a constant temperature of 1683 ± 10 K. The purity of the NPs was confirmed by utilizing X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), and X-ray fluorescence (XRF). Finally, metal purity of 99.976% and 99.97% was measured by AAS and XRF analyses, respectively. Moreover, it was found that increasing gas flow rate and sample temperature results in a decrease in the particle size. The particle sizes for the Al-NPs obtained under He atmosphere were smaller than those obtained under Ar atmosphere.

Highlights

A size-controlled sample of aluminum nanoparticles (Al-NPs) can be used in nanocomposites, transparent conductive coatings, drug delivery, absorbents, heat-transfer fluids, wear-resistant additives, chemical analysis, material surface coatings, biomedical applications, and decorative and reflective materials applications [1,2,3,4]
Application of this material as additives, propellants, fuels, and explosives is affected by particle size and coating process of Al-NPs
The size of the synthesized NPs is affected by droplet temperature, gas flow rate, and thermal properties of the carrier and cooling gas medium [20,21,22,23]

Summary

Introduction

A size-controlled sample of aluminum nanoparticles (Al-NPs) can be used in nanocomposites, transparent conductive coatings, drug delivery, absorbents, heat-transfer fluids, wear-resistant additives, chemical analysis, material surface coatings, biomedical applications, and decorative and reflective materials applications [1,2,3,4]. Fabrication of Al-NPs can be carried out in either solid phase, liquid phase, or gas phase For each of these states, different techniques have been utilized in previous studies. A number of publications describe the synthesis processes, and protective coatings of Al, but previous results have not demonstrated high-purity Al content and stability of the particle sizes in a size-controlled distribution of Al-NPs [8,9,10,11]. The main objective of this study is to synthesize high-purity Al-NPs using electromagnetic levitation gas condensation (ELGC) as an inexpensive and swift method. Pure bulk Al as a charge metal and Ar and He gases as condensation media are utilized in the ELGC process In this process, levitated drops of molten Al are evaporated and converted to NPs by cooling inert gas. It should be mentioned that the experimental setup, which is used in this study, does not require costly equipment and can be upscaled to industrial applications with lower investment costs and expenses

Methodology

Experimental Setup

Morphology of the Al-NPs

EDS Analysis

Findings

Particle Size Distribution of Produced Al-NPs