A mass conservative approach to model the ultrasonic de-agglomeration of ZnO nanoparticle suspension in water

This paper deals with the non conservation of volume during ultrasonic breakage of ZnO particles whose density varies against size. The observed volumetric particle distributions, obtained by light scattering measurements, are transformed into mass distributions using an expression of the density variation against size based on the fractal dimension. Calculations are then performed using a discretization method given in literature. To validate calculated results, ultrasonic fragmentation of zinc dioxide nanopowder in water is performed in cell dispersion to follow the evolution of the particle size distribution against time. Furthermore, calculated results are adjusted to the experimental particle size distribution curves to determine the breakage frequency constant. This parameter varies with the energy released by the collapse of the cavitation bubbles. Most work on mechanisms of fragmentation by ultrasound is based on the electrical power consumption required for the dispersion of agglomerate. Here, the study focuses on the thermal power which is correlated to the breakage frequency constant. Finally it is found that this parameter is also function of the square root of the thermal power. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.