Salt encapsulation also isolates the nanoparticles, enabling control of particle size and shape. The technique creates extremely pure materials because the particles are produced in the gaseous flame environment, and thus the reaction does not occur near the chamber walls. The high temperature inside the reactor, over 1000 degrees Centigrade, also helps to purify the powder by driving off undesirable impurities. Inc. In the materials world, smaller is better. Take catalysts and the property of surface area.
Surface area is very important to catalyst function.
In the past, industry produced particles for catalysts in the micrometer size range, which is 1000 times larger than nanoparticles. By going to the nanometer size range, the surface area of a catalyst can be hundreds of thousands of times larger. Similarly, every time the space shuttle launches, it uses 400,000 pounds of aluminum powder. Axelbaum's laboratory can make aluminum powder in the nanometer size. Such powder in that small range will burn faster and more completely, and thus enhance the function of the shuttle launch.