| abstract |
A method and apparatus for synthesizing metal oxide nanopowder from metal compound vapor has been presented. In particular, a method and apparatus for synthesizing TIO 2 nanopowder from TICI 4 is disclosed. The metal compound vapor reacts with the oxidizing gas in an electrically induced RF frequency plasma, thus forming a metal oxide vapor. The metal oxide vapor is rapidly cooled using a high turbulent gas quench zone that quickly stops the particle growth process and substantially reduces the size of the formed metal oxide particles. The metal compound vapor can also react with a doping agent to form a doped metal oxide nanopowder. In addition, disclosed is a method and apparatus for synthesizing coated metal oxides in-line, where the metal oxide particles are coated with a surface agent after being cooled in a high turbulent gas quench zone. |