Synthesis and surface engineering of nanomaterials by atmospheric-pressure microplasmas^*

¹ Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials Research Institute (NAMRI), University of Ulster, Shore Road Newtownabbey, Antrim, BT37 0QB, UK
² Research Center for Photovoltaic Technologies, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 2, Umezono 1-1-1, Tsukuba 305-8568, Japan

^a e-mail: d.mariotti@ulster.ac.uk

Received: 29 April 2011
Revised: 8 August 2011
Accepted: 5 September 2011
Published online: 28 October 2011

Abstract

Two different atmospheric pressure microplasma systems are discussed and used for the synthesis and surface engineering of a range of nanomaterials. Specifically a gas-phase approach from vaporized tetramethylsilane has been used to synthesize silicon carbide nanoparticles with diameters below 10 nm. A different microplasma system that interfaces with a liquid solution has then been used for the synthesis of surfactant-free electrically stabilized gold nanoparticles with varying size. A similar microplasma-liquid system has been finally successfully used to tailor surface properties of silicon nanoparticles and to reduce graphene oxide into graphene. The synthesis and surface engineering mechanisms are also discussed.