Enhanced gas‐phase nucleation of diamond nanoparticles in a microplasma torch. Issue 3 (23rd November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jia, Zixian; Fermi, Youcef; Siby, Abdoulaye; Brinza, Ovidiu; Hassouni, Khaled; Prasanna, Swaminathan
• Is Part Of: Plasma processes and polymers. Volume 20:Issue 3(2023)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-11-23
• Subjects: carbon nanostructures -- diamond nanoparticles -- microplasma -- microwave plasma; Plasma polymerization -- Periodicals; Plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition -- Periodicals; Plasma chemistry -- Periodicals
• DOI: 10.1002/ppap.202200180
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1612-8850

Abstract

Abstract: In this work, we present and characterize a microwave plasma microtorch that can support the formation of diamond nanoparticles (DNPs) in the gas phase when using hydrogen‐methane as a precursor gas. We first showed how the nonequilibrium character of the plasma obtained in this microtorch ensures enhanced H‐atom, C 2 ${{\rm{C}}}_{2}$, and CH 3 ${\text{CH}}_{3}$ production at moderate gas temperature levels that provides thermal stability of DNPs. The material characterization by TEM, Raman, and electron energy loss spectroscopy spectra confirm the presence of a substantial amount of diamond phase in the carbon dust particles collected from the plasma phase. Investigation of the effects of injected microwave power on the process characteristics showed a direct correlation between enhanced C 2 ${{\rm{C}}}_{2}$ production and the appearance of the diamond phase, which points out the critical role of C 2 ${{\rm{C}}}_{2}$ as far as gas‐phase nucleation of DNPs is concerned. Abstract : Production of diamond nanoparticles using a microplasma torch through homogeneous nucleation under enhanced concentrations of H‐atom and primary carbon radicals C 2 ${{\rm{C}}}_{2}$ and CH 3 ${\text{CH}}_{3}$ .