Synthesis of Nanoparticles through Flame Spray Pyrolysis: Experimental Apparatus and Preliminary Results

Abstract

Nanostructured materials represent nowadays a wide, and probably still largely unexplored, field of potential applications. In fact, this is a research topic in high and rapid development, both at a basic level and under the point of view of possible practical applications, leaving large space for a thorough scientific analysis, which requires with no doubt long time for ultimate conclusions. This paper deals with the preliminary work performed in the field of FSP (Flame Spray Pyrolysis) synthesis for nanoparticles, using an external mixing gas assisted nozzle. Particularly, an experimental apparatus has been designed, realized and characterized for the controlled synthesis of nanoparticles by the flame spray pyrolysis technique. The apparatus consists of a gas-assisted spray for droplet generation and dispersion in a secondary pilot flame. By dissolving suitable precursors in a liquid fuel, different types of nanoparticles have been produced. In the preliminary tests SiO2 and TiO2 have been synthesized and characterized by TEM analysis and XRD, respectively, as a function of the main operating conditions (for instance, precursor concentration) of the experimental apparatus. The designed set-up shows good stability and reproducibility of the reaction flame and, therefore, of the material produced and the obtained results, even if preliminary, encourage the use of the experimental apparatus for the controlled synthesis of nanostructured materials.