Versatile Production of New Multi-functional and Composite Nanomaterials by Means of Cold Plasma - Liquid Interactions

Abstract

AbstractNowadays, a rapid economic growth is observed, which is associated with series of technological and economic challenges, including development of new (nano)materials dedicated to diverse applications in environmental protection, energy storage, food sanitization, and medicine. The use of cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAPP) systems, particularly those operated in contact with liquids, opens a quite new route for synthesis and modification of such specialized materials. CAPP-based production of new multi-functional and composite nanomaterials is usually eco-friendly and involves single-step processes, considerably lowering the labor investment and costs. It can also be carried out on a much larger scale, as compared to other methods and procedures that are based on complex chemical treatments and processes. The size and morphology as well as structural and optical properties of such new composite nanomaterials are tunable and tailorable. In addition, having reproducible physical dimensions, crystallity, functionality, and spectral properties, they are ready for their specific applications without any initial pre-treatments.In this review, a series of new synthetic routes for fabrication of modern multi-functional and composite nanomaterials for applications in environmental protection and biomedicine by means of CAPP systems is described. It includes production of (i) efficient nanocatalysts for catalytic decomposition of organic pollutants, (ii) new nanocomposites increasing the heat transfer rate, (iii) and unique nanomaterials revealing antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties.KeywordsNon-thermal plasmaNanocompositesCatalysisHeat transferAntimicrobialCytotoxicity