Spray synthesis of nanomaterials requires fundamental understanding and control of the aerosol, its injection into the high pressure high temperature plasma and plasma-droplet interactions. The geometry of the atomizing nozzle, composition, pressure and flow rate of the atomizing gas. Composition, concentration and flow rate of the liquid feedstock. Variations in the size and velocity distribution of the aerosol droplets, flame characteristics and flame-droplet interactions were recorded using various techniques such as laser scattering, Schlieren and laser Doppler velocimetry. Summary of results Aqueous solutions produce wider distributions of large droplets which form particles with large grains.
Metalorganic solutions produce a narrow range of fine grained material.
Increasing the atomizing gas flow rate produces a narrow range of fine droplets. The velocity of the particles in the flame decreases inversely proportional to the distance from the nozzle. Higher loading of the flame results in a slight increase in the average particle size. Increasing the precursor concentration and feed rate increases the powder collection rate. In this process, a liquid precursor is atomized and injected into the high temperature plasma flame.