6078.2:
In-situ Monitoring of the Synthesis of Nano-Powders by an RF Thermal Plasma
Abstract
Process control and understanding of the key factors are the most critical issues in quality control of industrially producible nano-structured powders. Within the scope of this project, nano-particles shall be produced in an existing inductively coupled RF thermal plasma (ICP) equipment. As precursors tungsten or tungsten carbide powders shall be used, whereas the carburization shall be performed with agents such as hydrocarbon gases. Different plasma diagnostic methods such as the enthalpy probe and optical emission spectroscopy shall be applied to characterise the thermal plasma. In order to understand the nano-powder production in these plasmas various in-situ powder diagnostic methods shall be designed or adapted to the reactor. Laser light scattering, infrared absorption spectroscopy and advanced methods such as cavity ring down spectroscopy shall be used to understand nucleation, particle growth and agglomeration in these thermal plasmas. The project aims to correlate plasma conditions measured with the developed in-situ monitoring techniques and the obtained nano-powder properties assessed by ex-situ characterisations.