Synthesis of Metallic Nanoparticles

Metallic nanoparticles are widely used in many different fields:

• Catalysis
• Power industry: fuel cells, supercaps
• Paints and adhesives
• Microelectronics
• Medicine, biology

Most metallic nanoparticles are currently synthesized using wet chemical processes. With this bottom-up route, metal salts are reduced and the resulting metallic nanoparticles subsequently stabilized.

An alternative method is to synthesize metallic nanoparticles with plasma. RF plasma can be used to produce spherical nanoscale metal particles, such as silver, copper and nickel. The advantages of plasma-based synthesis include high particle purity and the ability to regulate particle size. Furthermore, after optimizing the process, large quantities of nanoparticles can be manufactured on a pilot plant scale. The technology can be implemented to synthesize ceramic materials as well as metallic particles.

With our experience in functionalizing and dispersing nanoparticles for such applications, we can also optimize particles by imparting specific functions for other uses.