Direct Liquid Reactor-Injector of Nanoparticles: A Safer-by-Design Aerosol Injection for Nanocomposite Thin-Film Deposition Adapted to Various Plasma-Assisted Processes

Abstract

The requirements of nanocomposite thin films, having non-aggregated nanoparticles homogeneously dispersed in the matrix, have been realized using a new method of Direct Liquid Reactor-Injector (DLRI) of nanoparticles. In this approach, unlike conventional aerosol-assisted plasma deposition, the nanoparticles are synthesized before their injection as an aerosol into plasma. In our experiments, we have used two different plasma reactors, namely an asymmetric low-pressure RF plasma reactor and a parallel plate dielectric barrier discharge at atmospheric pressure. Our results have shown that DLRI can be easily coupled with various plasma processes as this approach allows the deposition of high-quality multifunctional nanocomposite thin films, with embedded nanoparticles of less than 10 nm in diameter. Hence, DLRI coupled with plasma processes meets the specifications for the deposition of multifunctional coatings.

A Novel Approach towards the Preparation of Silk-Fibroin-Modified Polyethylene Terephthalate with High Hydrophilicity and Stability

“…An alternative approach is plasma-assisted deposition, which enables the formation of biomacromolecule films on various substrates with different shapes [38]. Moreover, the deposition process occurs at room temperature and atmospheric pressure without using specialized vacuum or heating equipment.…”

Time-resolved analysis of Ar metastable and electron populations in low-pressure misty plasma processes using optical emission spectroscopy

“…The name misty plasma, inspired from the well-established dusty plasma, refers to any two-phase plasma medium in which liquid droplets are present [1]. Such plasmas are an increasingly common occurrence for multifunctional coatings deposition, as mist-based processes have shown encouraging results with regard to the growth of nanocomposite thin films, especially at low pressure [2][3][4]. However, most publications take interest in end-product nanomaterials and/or process capabilities rather than aerosol-plasma interactions or thin-film deposition mechanisms.…”