Plasma-Enabled Synthesis of Nanostructured Surfaces and Nanoparticles

A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Synthesis, Interfaces and Nanostructures".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2021) | Viewed by 13119

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
Interests: plasma technology; plasma–surface interactions; thin films and coatings; nanomaterials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
Interests: nanoparticles; surface nanopatterning; photonic crystals and optical metamaterials; colorimetry; optical characterization; plasma–surface physics; sol–gel synthesis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear colleagues,

The utilization of plasma methods for materials design and microfabrication has been well known for decades. Thin film transistors for microelectronic devices, for example, have been produced thanks to the advances in plasma technology. Also, arc discharge techniques are well suited for production of ultrahard coatings and nanomaterials with extreme properties. In addition, design of flexible electronic devices, sensors, as well as the growth of amorphous or nanocrystalline photovoltaic materials can be assisted by means of magnetized plasmas. Plasma nanoprocessing can also address the optimization of new devices aimed to energy applications such as supercapacitors and catalysis. Besides, ion-enhanced surface modifications by low-temperature plasmas constitute clean, environmental-friendly techniques. Finally, plasma for biomedical applications is a new research line. Surface tailoring with cold atmospheric plasmas is adequate to process nanostructured biomaterials to control adhesion of proteins or cells.

The present Special Issue, which is focused on plasma nanosynthesis and processing, welcomes contributions that merge plasma technologies with the multidisciplinary field of nanoscience. Articles with a fundamental and/or applied approach will be considered. The topic is very ample, and is expected to develop a growing field which is attracting groups with different backgrounds worldwide.

Prof. Dr. Carles Corbella
Dr. Sabine Portal
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • Arc discharges
  • Graphene and other 2D materials
  • Ion beam treatment
  • Magnetron sputtering
  • Modeling of plasma-surface interactions
  • Nanodevice fabrication
  • Nanolithography
  • Nanostructured thin films
  • Plasma atomic layer deposition
  • Plasma catalysis
  • Plasma diagnostics
  • Plasma synthesis of nanoparticles
  • Plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 3212 KiB  
Article
Controlled Deposition of Nanostructured Hierarchical TiO2 Thin Films by Low Pressure Supersonic Plasma Jets
by Cecilia Piferi, Chiara Carra, Kateryna Bazaka, Hector Eduardo Roman, Elisa Camilla Dell’Orto, Vittorio Morandi, Igor Levchenko and Claudia Riccardi
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(3), 533; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12030533 - 3 Feb 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1525
Abstract
Plasma-assisted supersonic jet deposition (PA-SJD) is a precise technique for the fabrication of thin films with a desired nanostructured morphology. In this work, we used quadrupole mass spectrometry of the neutral species in the jet and the extensive characterization of TiO2 films [...] Read more.
Plasma-assisted supersonic jet deposition (PA-SJD) is a precise technique for the fabrication of thin films with a desired nanostructured morphology. In this work, we used quadrupole mass spectrometry of the neutral species in the jet and the extensive characterization of TiO2 films to improve our understanding of the relationship between jet chemistry and film properties. To do this, an organo–metallic precursor (titanium tetra–isopropoxide or TTIP) was first dissociated using a reactive argon–oxygen plasma in a vacuum chamber and then delivered into a second, lower pressure chamber through a nozzle. The pressure difference between the two chambers generated a supersonic jet carrying nanoparticles of TiO2 in the second chamber, and these were deposited onto the surface of a substrate located few centimeters away from the nozzle. The nucleation/aggregation of the jet nanoparticles could be accurately tuned by a suitable choice of control parameters in order to produce the required structures. We demonstrate that high-quality films of up to several µm in thickness and covering a surface area of few cm2 can be effectively produced using this PA-SJD technique. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plasma-Enabled Synthesis of Nanostructured Surfaces and Nanoparticles)
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12 pages, 3376 KiB  
Article
Insight into the Properties of Plasmonic Au/TiO2 Activated by O2/Ar Plasma
by Xiaoqing Deng, Yu Ding, Xiaobing Wang, Xiaojing Jia, Shuo Zhang and Xiang Li
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(1), 106; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12010106 - 29 Dec 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1507
Abstract
The performance of CO oxidation over plasmonic Au/TiO2 photocatalysts is largely determined by the electric discharge characteristics and physicochemical properties of discharge gas. To explore the activation mechanism of Au/TiO2, an O2 and Ar mixture gas as a discharge [...] Read more.
The performance of CO oxidation over plasmonic Au/TiO2 photocatalysts is largely determined by the electric discharge characteristics and physicochemical properties of discharge gas. To explore the activation mechanism of Au/TiO2, an O2 and Ar mixture gas as a discharge gas was employed to activate Au/TiO2. The photocatalytic activity in CO oxidation over activated Au/TiO2 was obtained, and the electric discharge characteristics, Au nanoparticle size, surface chemical state, optical property and CO chemisorption were thoroughly characterized. As the O2 content increases from 10% to 50%, the amplitude of the current pulses increases, but the number of pulses and the discharge power decrease. The photocatalytic activity of Au/TiO2 rises rapidly at first and then remains constant at 75% when the O2 content is above 50%. Compared with the discharge gas of 10% and 30% O2/Ar, the sample activated by 50% O2/Ar plasma possesses less metallic Au and more surface oxygen species and carbonate species by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, which is consistent with UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra and CO chemisorption. The CO chemisorption capacities of the activated samples are the same at a long exposure time due to the approximate Au nanoparticle size observed by transmission electron microscopy. An increase in carbonate species generated from the oxygen species on the surface of TiO2 is discovered. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plasma-Enabled Synthesis of Nanostructured Surfaces and Nanoparticles)
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17 pages, 8248 KiB  
Article
Improvement of Nanostructured Polythiophene Film Uniformity Using a Cruciform Electrode and Substrate Rotation in Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Polymerization
by Jae Young Kim, Hyo Jun Jang, Gyu Tae Bae, Choon-Sang Park, Eun Young Jung and Heung-Sik Tae
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(1), 32; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12010032 - 23 Dec 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2401
Abstract
In atmospheric pressure (AP) plasma polymerization, increasing the effective volume of the plasma medium by expanding the plasma-generating region within the plasma reactor is considered a simple method to create regular and uniform polymer films. Here, we propose a newly designed AP plasma [...] Read more.
In atmospheric pressure (AP) plasma polymerization, increasing the effective volume of the plasma medium by expanding the plasma-generating region within the plasma reactor is considered a simple method to create regular and uniform polymer films. Here, we propose a newly designed AP plasma reactor with a cruciform wire electrode that can expand the discharge volume. Based on the plasma vessel configuration, which consists of a wide tube and a substrate stand, two tungsten wires crossed at 90 degrees are used as a common powered electrode in consideration of two-dimensional spatial expansion. In the wire electrode, which is partially covered by a glass capillary, discharge occurs at the boundary where the capillary terminates, so that the discharge region is divided into fourths along the cruciform electrode and the discharge volume can successfully expand. It is confirmed that although a discharge imbalance in the four regions of the AP plasma reactor can adversely affect the uniformity of the polymerized, nanostructured polymer film, rotating the substrate using a turntable can significantly improve the film uniformity. With this AP plasma reactor, nanostructured polythiophene (PTh) films are synthesized and the morphology and chemical properties of the PTh nanostructure, as well as the PTh-film uniformity and electrical properties, are investigated in detail. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plasma-Enabled Synthesis of Nanostructured Surfaces and Nanoparticles)
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10 pages, 3403 KiB  
Article
Preparation and Characterization of Silver-Iron Bimetallic Nanoparticles on Activated Carbon Using Plasma in Liquid Process
by Heon Lee, Jaegu Park, Young-Kwon Park, Byung-Joo Kim, Kay-Hyeok An, Sang-Chai Kim and Sang-Chul Jung
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(12), 3385; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11123385 - 14 Dec 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2099
Abstract
The mono and bi-metallic nanoparticles have conspicuous properties and are widely used in the environment, energy, and medical fields. In this study, bimetallic nanoparticles composed of silver and iron were precipitated on the surface of activated carbon in a single process using plasma [...] Read more.
The mono and bi-metallic nanoparticles have conspicuous properties and are widely used in the environment, energy, and medical fields. In this study, bimetallic nanoparticles composed of silver and iron were precipitated on the surface of activated carbon in a single process using plasma in liquid process (PLP). Silver-iron ions and various radicals were actively generated in the aqueous reactant solution by the PLP. Although metals were precipitated on AC depending on the number of precursors added to the aqueous reactant solution, the standard reduction potential of silver ions was higher than that of iron ions, so silver precipitated on AC. The silver precipitate on AC was a mixture of metallic silver and silver oxide, and iron was present as Fe3O4. Spherical nanoparticles, 100–120 nm in size, were observed on the surface of the Ag-Fe/AC composite. The composition of the bimetallic nanoparticles could be controlled by considering the ionization tendency and standard reduction potential of metal ions and controlling the concentration of the precursors. The PLP presented in this study can be applied to the preparing method of bimetallic nanoparticle/carbon materials and can be expected to be used in the prepare of energy and environmental materials such as MFC and absorption materials for removing pollutants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plasma-Enabled Synthesis of Nanostructured Surfaces and Nanoparticles)
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15 pages, 3975 KiB  
Article
Improvement of the Uniformity and Electrical Properties of Polyaniline Nanocomposite Film by Addition of Auxiliary Gases during Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Polymerization
by Jae-Young Kim, Hyo-Jun Jang, Eunyoung Jung, Gyutae Bae, Soonwon Lee, Choon-Sang Park, Bhumjae Shin and Heung-Sik Tae
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(9), 2315; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11092315 - 6 Sep 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1860
Abstract
The morphological and chemical properties of polyaniline (PANI) nanocomposite films after adding small amounts of auxiliary gases such as argon, nitrogen, and oxygen during atmospheric pressure (AP) plasma polymerization are investigated in detail. A separate gas-supply line for applying an auxiliary gas is [...] Read more.
The morphological and chemical properties of polyaniline (PANI) nanocomposite films after adding small amounts of auxiliary gases such as argon, nitrogen, and oxygen during atmospheric pressure (AP) plasma polymerization are investigated in detail. A separate gas-supply line for applying an auxiliary gas is added to the AP plasma polymerization system to avoid plasma instability due to the addition of auxiliary gas during polymerization. A small amount of neutral gas species in the plasma medium can reduce the reactivity of monomers hyperactivated by high plasma energy and prevent excessive crosslinking, thereby obtaining a uniform and regular PANI nanocomposite film. The addition of small amounts of argon or nitrogen during polymerization significantly improves the uniformity and regularity of PANI nanocomposite films, whereas the addition of oxygen weakens them. In particular, the PANI film synthesized by adding a small amount of nitrogen has the best initial electrical resistance and resistance changing behavior with time after the ex situ iodine (I2)-doping process compared with other auxiliary gases. In addition, it is experimentally demonstrated that the electrical conductivity of the ex situ I2-doped PANI film can be preserved for a long time by isolating it from the atmosphere. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plasma-Enabled Synthesis of Nanostructured Surfaces and Nanoparticles)
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13 pages, 3841 KiB  
Article
Characteristics of Plasma Flow for Microwave Plasma Assisted Aerosol Deposition
by In-Je Kang, Chang-Hyun Cho, Hyonu Chang, Soo-Ouk Jang, Hyun-Jae Park, Dae-Gun Kim, Kyung-Min Lee and Ji-Hun Kim
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(7), 1705; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11071705 - 29 Jun 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2616
Abstract
To validate the possibility of the developed microwave plasma source with a novel structure for plasma aerosol deposition, the characteristics of the plasma flow velocity generated from the microwave plasma source were investigated by a Mach probe with pressure variation. Simulation with the [...] Read more.
To validate the possibility of the developed microwave plasma source with a novel structure for plasma aerosol deposition, the characteristics of the plasma flow velocity generated from the microwave plasma source were investigated by a Mach probe with pressure variation. Simulation with the turbulent model was introduced to deduce calibration factor of the Mach probe and to compare experimental measurements for analyses of collisional plasma conditions. The results show calibration factor does not seem to be a constant parameter and highly dependent on the collision parameter. The measured plasma flow velocity, which witnessed fluctuations produced by a shock flow, was between 400 and 700 m/s. The optimized conditions for microwave plasma assisted aerosol deposition were derived by the results obtained from analyses of the parameters of microwave plasma jet. Under the optimized conditions, Y2O3 coatings deposited on an aluminum substrate were investigated using scanning electron microscope. The results presented in this study show the microwave plasma assisted aerosol deposition with the developed microwave plasma source is highly feasible for thick films with >50 μm. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plasma-Enabled Synthesis of Nanostructured Surfaces and Nanoparticles)
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