Nebulization of Nanocolloidal Suspensions for the Growth of Nanocomposite Coatings in Dielectric Barrier Discharges
Résumé
The nebulization of colloidal suspensions is analyzed by dynamic light scattering, scanning, and transmission electron microscopies. While primary agglomeration can be important for many nanoparticle-solvent couples, our results indicate that for TiO2 nanoparticles dispersed in water, secondary agglomeration also occurs during nebulization. When nebulization is realized immediately after sustaining a plane-to-plane dielectric barrier discharge at atmospheric pressure, the collection efficiency of TiO2 nanoparticles increases due to the presence of a remanent electric field between the two electrodes. Finally, these findings are used to deposit SiO2-TiO2 nanocomposite thin films by alternating the deposition of dense silica-like layers in a Townsend discharge and the collection of TiO2 nanoparticles through nebulization of the nanocolloidal suspension.