SYNTHESIS OF NANOSCALE METAL-OXIDE PARTICLES USING LASER VAPORIZATIONCONDENSATION IN A DIFFUSION CLOUD CHAMBER

A novel method which combines laser vaporization of metals with contro lled condensation in a diffusion cloud chamber is used to synthesize n anoscale metal oxide and carbide particles (10-20 nm) of homogeneous s ize and well-defined composition. The following oxides have been synth esized: ZnO, SiO2, Fe2O3, Bi2O3, PdO, NiO, AgO, TeO, Sb2O3, TiO2, ZrO2 , Al2O3, CuO, In2O3, SnO, V2O5, and MgO. The microscale structures of the SiO2 and Al2O3 particles exhibit secondary open-structure arrays o f interesting weblike matrices with significant volumes of voids in th e aggregate structure. These materials may have special applications i n catalysis and as reinforcing agents for liquid polymers.