A combined plasma-electrochemical method to synthesize colloidal metal nanoparticles
- Detailed Technology Description
- Microplasmas are miniaturized versions of low-pressure glow discharges that operate non-thermally at high pressures (∼1atm) and contain energetic electrons.Unlike conventional techniques that req
- *Abstract
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Microplasmas are miniaturized versions of low-pressure glow discharges that operate non-thermally at high pressures (∼1atm) and contain energetic electrons.Unlike conventional techniques that require expensive vacuum equipment, this technology by Dr. Mohan Sankaran and his colleagues employs microplasma processing, whereby available electrons in the plasma discharge initiate chemical reactions non-thermally, at atmospheric pressure. In a standard electrochemical cell, redox reactions occurby flowing current between solid electrodes and the electrolyte. As a source of electrons and ions, plasma discharges can be coupled to electrochemical systems to initiate redox reactions without immersing a solid electrode in the electrolyte solution. The technology opens a route for pursuing electrochemical applications based on plasma-liquid interactions. The reduction of metal cations by gas-phase electrons supplied by a microplasma provides a generic approach for nanoparticle synthesis from either bulk metals or metal salt solutions.Non-Provisional Application No. 12/852,092 filed on 6-Aug-2010 published as US-2011-0048960-A1.
- Country/Region
- USA
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