Patent ID: 6755886
Filing Date: 2004-06-29
Classification: B22F

Abstract:
A method for converting metallic nanoparticles into larger, spherical metallic particles, comprising the steps of:(a) generating an aerosol of solid metallic precursor nanoparticles entrained in plasma gas, the nanoparticles consisting essentially of metal or oxide coated metal; (b) generating a non-oxidizing plasma from plasma gas, the plasma comprising a portion sufficiently hot to melt the solid metallic precursor nanoparticles; (c) directing the aerosol into the plasma and allowing the solid precursor metallic nanoparticles to melt, collide, join, and spheroidize to form larger molten, spherical, metallic particles; and (d) directing the molten, spherical, metallic microparticles away from the plasma so that they solidify and form larger, metallic, spherical, product particles.