Size-controlled growth of nanoparticles in a highly ionized pulsed plasma

Copper nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized using a high power pulsed hollow cathode technique and the produced NPs were studied as a function of pulse parameters, i.e., frequency, peak current, and pulse width. It was found that the particle size can be altered in a range from 10 to 40 nm by changing any one of the pulse parameters. The mechanisms of NP synthesis with respect to a pulsed discharge and a high degree of ionization of the sputtered material are discussed. (C) 2013 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4788739]