Facility for nanoparticle fabrication using electrochemical discharges

纳米粒子具有许多重要的性质，例如提高了电化学活性。生产这种颗粒的技术有很多。目前的研究旨在探索一种全新的技术，利用电化学放电来生产它们。长期以来，电化学放电一直是电化学工业中的一种不良现象。自上世纪末以来，它们所产生的热量才被用于微机械加工。在目前的研究中，将这些放电用于纳米粒子的制备将扩大其应用领域。此外，通过使用小电极，可以诱导微放电。在当地传输的电子将被用来还原支持电解液中包含的金属板。电化学放电现象避免了还原金属沉积在工作电极上。代替镀锌，纳米粒子是在溶液中产生的。这项新技术的好处之一是有可能获得各种化学成分，甚至是纳米颗粒的合金。这项研究将专注于生产有趣的纳米颗粒合金，用作燃料电池的催化剂。

Nano-particles have many important properties as for example increased electrochemical activity. Many techniques are available to produce such particles. The present research aims to explore a completely new technique using electrochemical discharges to produce them. Electrochemical discharges are known since long time as a undesirable phenomenon in electrochemical industry. Its only since the end of last century that the heat produced by them is used for micro-machining applications. In the present research their filed of application will be increased by using these discharges for nano-particle fabrication.  By using small electrodes, micro-discharges can be induced. The electrons transported locally will be used to reduce metal slats contained in a supporting electrolyte. The phenomenon of electrochemical discharges avoids the reduced metal to deposit on the working electrode. Instead of galvanization, nano-particles are produced in solution. One of the benefits of this novel technology is the possibility to obtain various chemical composition and even alloys for nano-particles. The research will focus on the production of interesting alloys of nano-particles to be used as catalysts in fuel-cells.