Facility for nanoparticle fabrication using electrochemical discharges

纳米颗粒具有许多重要的性质，例如增加的电化学活性。许多技术可用于生产这种颗粒。本研究旨在探索一种全新的技术，使用电化学放电来生产它们。长期以来，电化学放电作为电化学工业中的不良现象是已知的。直到上个世纪末，它们产生的热量才被用于微加工应用。在目前的研究中，他们的应用领域将增加通过使用这些放电的纳米粒子制造。 通过使用小电极，可以诱导微放电。局部传输的电子将用于还原支持电解质中包含的金属板条。电化学放电现象避免了还原金属在工作电极上的存款。代替电镀，纳米颗粒在溶液中产生。这种新技术的好处之一是可以获得各种化学成分甚至纳米颗粒的合金。这项研究将集中在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.