Method for producing metallic microparticles
First Claim
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1. A method for converting metallic nanoparticles into larger, spherical metallic particles, comprising the steps of:
- (a) generating an aerosol of solid metallic precursor nanoparticles entrained in plasma gas, the nanoparticles consisting essentially of metal or oxide coated metal;
(b) generating a non-oxidizing plasma from plasma gas, the plasma comprising a portion sufficiently hot to melt the solid metallic precursor nanoparticles;
(c) directing the aerosol into the plasma and allowing the solid precursor metallic nanoparticles to melt, collide, join, and spheroidize to form larger molten, spherical, metallic particles; and
(d) directing the molten, spherical, metallic microparticles away from the plasma so that they solidify and form larger, metallic, spherical, product particles.
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Abstract
Method for producing metallic particles. The method converts metallic nanoparticles into larger, spherical metallic particles. An aerosol of solid metallic nanoparticles and a non-oxidizing plasma having a portion sufficiently hot to melt the nanoparticles are generated. The aerosol is directed into the plasma where the metallic nanoparticles melt, collide, join, and spheroidize. The molten spherical metallic particles are directed away from the plasma and enter the afterglow where they cool and solidify.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method for converting metallic nanoparticles into larger, spherical metallic particles, comprising the steps of:
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(a) generating an aerosol of solid metallic precursor nanoparticles entrained in plasma gas, the nanoparticles consisting essentially of metal or oxide coated metal;
(b) generating a non-oxidizing plasma from plasma gas, the plasma comprising a portion sufficiently hot to melt the solid metallic precursor nanoparticles;
(c) directing the aerosol into the plasma and allowing the solid precursor metallic nanoparticles to melt, collide, join, and spheroidize to form larger molten, spherical, metallic particles; and
(d) directing the molten, spherical, metallic microparticles away from the plasma so that they solidify and form larger, metallic, spherical, product particles. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for converting aluminum nanoparticles into larger, spherical aluminum particles, comprising the steps of:
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(a) generating an aerosol comprising solid aluminum precursor nanoparticles entrained in plasma gas;
(b) generating a non-oxidizing plasma from plasma gas, the plasma comprising a portion sufficiently hot to melt the solid metallic precursor nanoparticles;
(c) directing the aerosol into the plasma and allowing the solid precursor aluminum nanoparticles to melt, collide, join, and spheroidize to form larger molten, soherical, aluminum particles; and
(d) directing the molten, soherical, metallic microparticles away from the plasma so that they solidify and form larger, spherical, aluminum product particles comprising a diameter of about 0.5-3 microns.
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Specification