Production of nanomaterials

In fact, it has a global technological edge in gas phase synthesis. Gaseous or readily vaporizable liquids and solids are vaporized at high temperatures in closed units to produce a controlled reaction.

A simple principle

Although the process is complex, the underlying principle is quite simple: If you light a candle, the wax vaporizes as it burns. If the flame is cooled by placing a cold metal spoon in it, the spoon becomes coated in fine particles.

Particle size is determined by process parameters

With the necessary expertise, that basic principle can be used to produce a wide range of different materials from a variety of starting products. By regulating key process parameters such as temperature, concentration and reaction time, the shape and size of the particles produced can be controlled very accurately. This is a continuous process that takes place at 1,000—2,400 °C. It takes between ten and one hundred milliseconds to form such particles in a reactor. Because of the high temperature and concentration of these substances in the reactor they immediately form nanostructured aggregates and agglomerates, which are typical of the gas phase process.