Nucleation and growth of ZnO nanoparticles in aerosol droplets

Work package:
Application of nanocomposites in daily life requires not only small nanoparticles (NPs) well dispersed in a matrix, but also a manufacturing process that is mindful of the operator and the environment. Avoiding any exposure to NPs is one such way, and direct liquid reaction-injection (DLRI) aims to fulfill this need. DLRI is based on the controlled in-situ synthesis of NPs from the decomposition of suitable organometallic precursors in conditions that are compatible with a pulsed injection mode of an aerosol into a downstream process. Coupled with low pressure plasma, DLRI produces nanocomposite with homogeneously well dispersed small nanoparticles that in the particular case of ZnO-DLC nanocomposite exhibits unique properties. DLRI favorably compares with the direct liquid injection of ex-situ formed NPs. The fine and controlled dispersion of NPs is due to the exothermic hydrolysis reaction of the organometallic precursor that results in the strong reduction of the aerosol droplets in the DLRI exhaust. To go further, we now need to understand the nucleation and growth of ZnO nanoparticles in aerosol droplets. This is the topic of this internship.