Hydrodynamic cavitation as a tool to control macro-, micro-, and nano-properties of inorganic materials

Abstract

Hydrodynamic cavitation was shown to be a powerful tool for the synthesis of nanostructured catalysts, ceramics, and piezoelectrics in high phase purities. The macro-, micro-, and nano- properties of solid-state materials could be controlled through adjusting the cavitational regime during synthesis by simple mechanical adjustment. The synthesis of nanostructured titania, piezoelectrics, perovskites, supported and unsupported cobalt molybdates, and Pd and Ag supported on alumina illustrate changes in morphology and size of crystals, growth in a preferred orientation of crystallites, and control of crystallographic strain and size compared to classically prepared materials. The high shear and cavitational forces during synthesis induce micro-strain into the materials and are a function of the Reynolds and cavitation numbers.