Multicomponent nanoparticle materials and process and apparatus therefor

A process of forming a multicomponent material, the process comprising:

• forming a first aerosol;
• forming a second aerosol;
• and combining the first aerosol and second aerosol to form a material comprised of a plurality of first particles from the first aerosol and a plurality of second particles from the second aerosol, wherein the plurality of first particles and the plurality of second particles have an average size of less than 500 nm and wherein the plurality of first particles either:
• (a) are compositionally distinct from the plurality of second particles or (b) have an average size that is distinct from the average size of the plurality of second particles or both.

An apparatus for combining distinct aerosols, the apparatus comprising a first burner or atomizer for forming a first aerosol;

• a second burner or atomizer forming a second aerosol;
• a chamber in fluid communication with the first and second burner or atomizer for receiving and mixing the first and second aerosols;
• and an exit port connected to the chamber for allowing the aerosols to escape the chamber, wherein the first burner or atomizer is capable of either:
• (a) forming an aerosol that is compositionally distinct from the aerosol formed from the second burner or atomizer or (b) forming an aerosol that has an average size that is significantly different from the aerosol formed from the second burner or atomizer.