Electrofluidized bed of silica nanoparticles

The behavior of a fluidized bed of electroneutral silica nanopowder under the influence of a cross-flow electric field is studied. Nanoparticle agglomerates experience an electrophoretic force as a consequence of being naturally charged, which leads to electrophoretic deposition at static and low frequency fields, In contrast, fluidization is enhanced at intermediate field frequencies, which can be attributed to agglomerate forced flow. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.