Aerosol Reactors for Ceramic Powder Synthesis

本研究是一项结合实验和理论的研究，以气溶胶反应器合成高品质的陶瓷用粉末。所研究的粉末是氮化硅和各种金属氧化物。生产的粉末的尺寸分布将被测量为气体成分、温度、停留时间和其他相关变量的函数。用原子吸收光谱和x射线衍射对粉末的化学成分和结晶度进行表征。陶瓷应用的粉末适用性将在另一个机构正在进行的研究中进行评估。反应器将模拟粒子成核，粒子通过冷凝和混凝生长，以及烧结时聚集体形状的变化。气溶胶反应器为生产陶瓷、光学、电气或催化应用中使用的独特性能的粉末提供了令人兴奋的过程。这项研究将有助于此类反应器的设计和优化。

This research is a combined experimental and theoretical investigation of aerosol reactors for synthesis of high quality powders for ceramic applications. The powders to be studied are silicon nitride and various metal oxides. Size distributions of the powders produced will be measured as a function of gas composition, temperature, residence time, and other relevant variables. Powders will be characterized as to chemical composition and crystallinity by atomic absorption spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The suitability of the powders for ceramic application will be evaluated in an ongoing study at another institution. The reactor will be modeled accounting for particle nucleation, particle growth by condensation and coagulation, and aggregate shape change by sintering. Aerosol reactors offer exciting processes for producing powders of unique properties for use in ceramic, optical, electrical, or catalytic applications. This research should help in the design and optimization of such reactors.