Understanding the Mechanism of Nanoparticle Formation in a Wire Explosion Process by Adopting the Optical Emission Technique

In the present study nano-tungsten carbide particles were generated in a wire explosion process. The plasma generated during the wire explosion process was analyzed using optical emission spectroscopy (OES). The impact of ambient pressure on the plasma temperature, electron density and plasma lifetime was studied. Lifetime variations of the plasma produced under different experimental conditions were analyzed. The produced nanoparticles were characterized through wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies. Particles produced with a negative DC charging voltage had a larger mean size when compared to a positive charging voltage. Polarity dependence on the plasma duration was observed where plasma was sustained for a longer duration with a negative DC charging voltage.