High rate synthesis of graphene-encapsulated silicon nanoparticles using pulse-modulated induction thermal plasmas with intermittent feedstock feeding

Graphite-coated silicon nanoparticles were synthesized using pulse-modulated induction thermal plasma (PMITP) with a time-controlled feedstock feeding (TCFF) method at high production rates. The PMITP+TCFF method is a high production method of nanoparticles with a high feedstock feeding rate of several g min(-1). Micro-sized silicon powder as feedstock was injected synchronously into Ar/H-2 PMITP to be evaporated completely. Argon/CH4 gas mixture was introduced as a quenching gas and a carbon source from three different downstream portions for comparison. As a result, graphene-encapsulated Si nanoparticles were successfully synthesized with Ar/CH4 gas mixture injection from adequate downstream port. (C) 2020 The Japan Society of Applied Physics.