Controlled formation of metallic nanoballs during plasma electrolysis

Formation of spherical nanoparticles (hereafter nanoballs) in a gas/liquid mixed dual phase system during plasma electrolysis is reported. A gas/vapor sheath is formed at the electrode/electrolyte interface when the applied voltage is high enough to induce discharge plasma. Through this nonequilibrium process, the authors have produced Ni, Ti, Ag, and Au metallic nanoballs from the cathode mother materials with a certain size controllability. The electrode surface is partially melted by the local current concentration induced by electrothermal instability followed by an immediate cooldown, yielding nanoballs without contamination from electrolyte.