In this process, a liquid precursor is atomized and injected into the high temperature plasma flame. The first step is the evaporation of the solvent. The next stage is condensation of the precursor materials and initiation of chemical reactions. This results in the liquid droplets splashing on the surface and then undergoing further reactions, depending on time and the availability of thermal energy. This leads to the formation of a patchy deposit.
Chemical deposition is achieved at location B .
Chemical reactions occur at or near the collecting surface at this location, resulting in dense and adherent coatings. At location C , solid particles have already been formed, but unlike a typical plasma spray process, they are not molten. Hence, a powdery deposit is obtained at this location. Therefore, a basic understanding of the Ultrafine Particle Synthesis Process has enabled optimization of materials processing. Summary of results A comparative study of the yield and characteristics of the materials collected in stagnation and ESP mode was performed.