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The direct writing and focusing of nanoparticles generated by an electrical discharge

The direct writing and focusing of nanoparticles generated by an electrical discharge
The direct writing and focusing of nanoparticles generated by an electrical discharge
Direct writing aims to deposit materials onto substrates in localised positions. In this paper, we demonstrate a new method for direct writing of nanoparticles at ambient-air-pressure. An electrical discharge is used to generate gold nanoparticles of the order of 10 nm diameter, which are then transported and 'focused' by an electric field in air, through the process of electric field-assisted diffusion, as opposed to normal ballistic focusing since the mean free path in air is very short. This process is novel and allows for practical normal atmospheric-pressure focused deposition of nanoparticles. The focusing mechanism is capable of producing patterned arrays of deposited nanoparticles with widths that are less than 10 % of the diameter of the focusing apparatus; in the present experimental configuration, gold spots with diameters of a few tens of micrometres were achieved, with ultimate size being limited by transverse diffusion and by charged particle mutual repulsion. In this study, the process of generating nanoparticles from bulk material, transporting and focusing these particles takes place in one operation, which is a key advantage in rapid prototyping and manufacturing techniques.
1388-0764
1220
Saleh, E.
7357ec2b-dd47-4574-b9bb-739166cc6aa4
Praeger, M.
84575f28-4530-4f89-9355-9c5b6acc6cac
Vaughan, A.S.
6d813b66-17f9-4864-9763-25a6d659d8a3
Stewart, W.J.
bbe93aab-9477-4f08-9042-a0c453aeb7a5
Loh, W.H.
2b7c57fe-000d-4405-a529-810597317ea8
Saleh, E.
7357ec2b-dd47-4574-b9bb-739166cc6aa4
Praeger, M.
84575f28-4530-4f89-9355-9c5b6acc6cac
Vaughan, A.S.
6d813b66-17f9-4864-9763-25a6d659d8a3
Stewart, W.J.
bbe93aab-9477-4f08-9042-a0c453aeb7a5
Loh, W.H.
2b7c57fe-000d-4405-a529-810597317ea8

Saleh, E., Praeger, M., Vaughan, A.S., Stewart, W.J. and Loh, W.H. (2012) The direct writing and focusing of nanoparticles generated by an electrical discharge. Journal of Nanoparticle Research, 14 (11), 1220. (doi:10.1007/s11051-012-1220-y).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Direct writing aims to deposit materials onto substrates in localised positions. In this paper, we demonstrate a new method for direct writing of nanoparticles at ambient-air-pressure. An electrical discharge is used to generate gold nanoparticles of the order of 10 nm diameter, which are then transported and 'focused' by an electric field in air, through the process of electric field-assisted diffusion, as opposed to normal ballistic focusing since the mean free path in air is very short. This process is novel and allows for practical normal atmospheric-pressure focused deposition of nanoparticles. The focusing mechanism is capable of producing patterned arrays of deposited nanoparticles with widths that are less than 10 % of the diameter of the focusing apparatus; in the present experimental configuration, gold spots with diameters of a few tens of micrometres were achieved, with ultimate size being limited by transverse diffusion and by charged particle mutual repulsion. In this study, the process of generating nanoparticles from bulk material, transporting and focusing these particles takes place in one operation, which is a key advantage in rapid prototyping and manufacturing techniques.

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More information

Published date: October 2012
Organisations: Optoelectronics Research Centre, Electronics & Computer Science

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 346066
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/346066
ISSN: 1388-0764
PURE UUID: 95194e89-3db3-43d9-a4b6-83524100d7b5
ORCID for M. Praeger: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-5814-6155
ORCID for A.S. Vaughan: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-0535-513X

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 14 Dec 2012 10:28
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 03:32

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Contributors

Author: E. Saleh
Author: M. Praeger ORCID iD
Author: A.S. Vaughan ORCID iD
Author: W.J. Stewart
Author: W.H. Loh

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