Synthesis of nanoparticles in carbon arc: measurements and modeling

This work studies the region of nanoparticle growth in atmospheric pressure carbon arc. Detection of the nanoparticles is realized via the planar laser induced incandescence (PLII) approach. Measurements revealed large clouds of nanoparticles in the arc periphery, bordering the region with high density of diatomic carbon molecules. Two-dimensional computational fluid dynamic simulations of the arc combined with thermodynamic modeling explain these results due to interplay of the condensation of carbon molecular species and the convection flow pattern. The results have shown that the nanoparticles are formed in the colder, outside regions of the arc and described the parameters necessary for coagulation.