Nanoparticles growth in dynamic plasma

TL;DR

This paper investigates how dynamic plasma conditions influence nanoparticle growth, revealing that non-stationary arc discharges can enhance particle size via bipolar charging and attractive Coulomb forces, contrary to stationary plasma behavior.

Contribution

It introduces a model showing bipolar charge distribution in non-stationary plasma, explaining rapid nanoparticle growth in atmospheric pressure arc discharges.

Findings

Bipolar charge distribution promotes faster nanoparticle growth.

Reversal of Coulomb forces leads to attraction between particles.

Micrometer-sized particles form within milliseconds in non-stationary plasma.

Abstract

Coagulation growth kinetics of nanoparticles in plasma is affected by inter-particle electrostatic forces due to charging phenomenon. In stationary plasmas, unipolar charging of particles results in retardation of particles growth and may result in limitation on a particle size. We demonstrate opposite effect of enhanced particles growth in atmospheric pressure non-stationary arc discharge. Modeling of the nanoparticles growth kinetics revealed the formation of bipolar charge distribution. As a result, reversed (attractive) Coulomb forces promote formation of micrometer size particles in a millisecond time scale as observed in experiment.