US 8,013,269 B2 · Induction plasma synthesis of nanopowders

Abstract

A process and apparatus for synthesizing a nanopowder is presented. In particular, a process for the synthesis of nanopowders of various materials such as metals, alloys, ceramics and composites by induction plasma technology, using organometallic compounds, chlorides, bromides, fluorides, iodides, nitrites, nitrates, oxalates and carbonates as precursors is disclosed. The process comprises feeding a reactant material into a plasma torch in which is generated a plasma flow having a temperature sufficiently high to yield a superheated vapor of the material; transporting said vapor by means of the plasma flow into a quenching zone; injecting a cold quench gas into the plasma flow in the quenching zone to form a renewable gaseous cold front; and forming a nanopowder at the interface between the renewable gaseous cold front and the plasma flow.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A process for synthesizing a nanopowder comprising:

a) feeding a reactant material into a plasma torch in which is generated a plasma gas stream having a temperature sufficiently high to yield a superheated vapour of said material;
b) transporting said superheated vapour by means of said plasma gas stream into a quenching zone, wherein the quenching zone is a quenching chamber comprising a porous wall;
c) injecting a cold quench gas into the plasma gas stream through a plurality of openings in the porous wall at a flow rate sufficient to form a laminar, renewable gaseous cold front and gradually displace the cold front toward the center of the plasma gas stream, thereby constricting the plasma gas stream;
and
d) forming a nanopowder from the superheated vapour at the interface between the renewable gaseous cold front and the plasma gas stream.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Induction plasma synthesis of nanopowders

Life of this patent

Induction plasma synthesis of nanopowders

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13