Nanoparticle separation in salted droplet microreactors

Nanoparticles were synthesized using a modified aerosol decomposition process. The goal of this work was to investigate the breakup of micrometer/submicrometer particles into nanosized particles in salt microreactors using NiO synthesis as a model. The influence of various operating conditions such as temperature, type of salt, salt composition, and concentration on the separation process were investigated. The results show that addition of inorganic salts leads to substantial changes in particles which are produced and that nanoparticles can be obtained under a variety of conditions. An optimum temperature range exists for nanoparticle separation. Different types of salts and precursors have great influences on the separation process as well as the characteristics of the products, which, along with synthesis temperature, can be used to control the properties of the final product.