We are at a critical evolutionary juncture in the research and development of low-temperature plasmas, which have become essential to synthesizing and processing vital nanoscale materials. More and more industries are increasingly dependent on plasma technology to develop integrated small-scale devices, but physical limits to growth, and other challenges, threaten progress. Plasma Processing of Nanomaterials is an in-depth guide to the art and science of plasma-based chemical processes used to synthesize, process, and modify various classes of nanoscale materials such as nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, and semiconductor nanowires. Plasma technology enables a wide range of academic and industrial applications in fields including electronics, textiles, automotives, aerospace, and biomedical. A prime example is the semiconductor industry, in which engineers revolutionized microelectronics by using plasmas to deposit and etch thin films and fabricate integrated circuits. An overview of progress and future potential in plasma processing, this reference illustrates key experimental and theoretical aspects by presenting practical examples of: Nanoscale etching/deposition of thin films Catalytic growth of carbon nanotubes and semiconductor nanowires Silicon nanoparticle synthesis Functionalization of carbon nanotubes Self-organized nanostructures Significant advances are expected in nanoelectronics, photovoltaics, and other emerging fields as plasma technology is further optimized to improve the implementation of nanomaterials with well-defined size, shape, and composition. Moving away from the usual focus on wet techniques embraced in chemistry and physics, the author sheds light on pivotal breakthroughs being made by the smaller plasma community. Written for a diverse audience working in fields ranging from nanoelectronics and energy sensors to catalysis and nanomedicine, this resource will help readers improve development and application of nanomaterials in their own work. About the Author: R. Mohan Sankaran received the American Vacuum Society’s 2011 Peter Mark Memorial Award for his outstanding contributions to tandem plasma synthesis.

This book examines the potential applications of nanoscience and nanotechnology to promote eco-friendly processes and techniques for energy and environment sustainability. Covering various aspects of both the synthesis and applications of nanoparticles and nanofluids for energy and environmental engineering, its goal is to promote eco-friendly processes and techniques. Accordingly, the book elaborates on the development of reliable, economical, eco-friendly processes through advanced nanoscience and technological research and innovations. Gathering contributions by researchers actively engaged in various domains of nanoscience and technology, it addresses topics such as nanoparticle synthesis (both top-down and bottom-up approaches); applications of nanomaterials, nanosensors and plasma discharge in pollution control; environmental monitoring; agriculture; energy recovery; production enhancement; energy conservation and storage; surface modification of materials for energy storage; fuel cells; pollution mitigation; and CO2 capture and sequestration. Given its scope, the book will be of interest to academics and researchers whose work involves nanotechnology or nanomaterials, especially as applied to energy and/or environmental sustainability engineering. Graduate students in the same areas will also find it a valuable resource.

We are at a critical evolutionary juncture in the research and development of low-temperature plasmas, which have become essential to synthesizing and processing vital nanoscale materials. More and more industries are increasingly dependent on plasma technology to develop integrated small-scale devices, but physical limits to growth, and other challenges, threaten progress. Plasma Processing of Nanomaterials is an in-depth guide to the art and science of plasma-based chemical processes used to synthesize, process, and modify various classes of nanoscale materials such as nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, and semiconductor nanowires. Plasma technology enables a wide range of academic and industrial applications in fields including electronics, textiles, automotives, aerospace, and biomedical. A prime example is the semiconductor industry, in which engineers revolutionized microelectronics by using plasmas to deposit and etch thin films and fabricate integrated circuits. An overview of progress and future potential in plasma processing, this reference illustrates key experimental and theoretical aspects by presenting practical examples of: Nanoscale etching/deposition of thin films Catalytic growth of carbon nanotubes and semiconductor nanowires Silicon nanoparticle synthesis Functionalization of carbon nanotubes Self-organized nanostructures Significant advances are expected in nanoelectronics, photovoltaics, and other emerging fields as plasma technology is further optimized to improve the implementation of nanomaterials with well-defined size, shape, and composition. Moving away from the usual focus on wet techniques embraced in chemistry and physics, the author sheds light on pivotal breakthroughs being made by the smaller plasma community. Written for a diverse audience working in fields ranging from nanoelectronics and energy sensors to catalysis and nanomedicine, this resource will help readers improve development and application of nanomaterials in their own work. About the Author: R. Mohan Sankaran received the American Vacuum Society’s 2011 Peter Mark Memorial Award for his outstanding contributions to tandem plasma synthesis.

This authoritative reference presents a comprehensive review of the evolution of plasma science and technology fundamentals over the past five decades. One of this field’s principal challenges has been its multidisciplinary nature requiring coverage of fundamental plasma physics in plasma generation, transport phenomena under high-temperature conditions, involving momentum, heat and mass transfer, and high-temperature reaction kinetics, as well as fundamentals of material science under extreme conditions. The book is structured in five distinct parts, which are presented in a reader-friendly format allowing for detailed coverage of the science base and engineering aspects of the technology including plasma generation, mathematical modeling, diagnostics, and industrial applications of thermal plasma technology. This book is an essential resource for practicing engineers, research scientists, and graduate students working in the field.

The first overview of this topic begins with some historical aspects and a survey of the principles of the gas aggregation method. The second part covers modifications of this method resulting in different specialized techniques, while the third discusses the post-growth treatment that can be applied to the nanoparticles. The whole is rounded off by a review of future perspectives and the challenges facing the scientific and industrial communities. An excellent resource for anyone working with the synthesis of nanoparticles, both in academia and industry.

This book focuses on the latest advances in the field of nanomaterials and their applications, and provides a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art of research in this rapidly developing field. The book comprises chapters exploring various aspects of nanomaterials. Given the depth and breadth of coverage, the book offers a valuable guide for researchers and students working in the area of nanomaterials.

This book provides the reader with an introduction to the physics of complex plasmas, a discussion of the specific scientific and technical challenges they present and an overview of their potential technological applications. Complex plasmas differ from conventional high-temperature plasmas in several ways: they may contain additional species, including nano meter- to micrometer-sized particles, negative ions, molecules and radicals and they may exhibit strong correlations or quantum effects. This book introduces the classical and quantum mechanical approaches used to describe and simulate complex plasmas. It also covers some key experimental techniques used in the analysis of these plasmas, including calorimetric probe methods, IR absorption techniques and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The final part of the book reviews the emerging applications of microcavity and microchannel plasmas, the synthesis and assembly of nanomaterials through plasma electrochemistry, the large-scale generation of ozone using microplasmas and novel applications of atmospheric-pressure non-thermal plasmas in dentistry. Going beyond the scope of traditional plasma texts, the presentation is very well suited for senior undergraduate, graduate students and postdoctoral researchers specializing in plasma physics.

Plasma catalysis is gaining increasing interest for various gas conversion applications, such as CO2 conversion into value-added chemicals and fuels, N2 fixation for the synthesis of NH3 or NOx, methane conversion into higher hydrocarbons or oxygenates. It is also widely used for air pollution control (e.g., VOC remediation). Plasma catalysis allows thermodynamically difficult reactions to proceed at ambient pressure and temperature, due to activation of the gas molecules by energetic electrons created in the plasma. However, plasma is very reactive but not selective, and thus a catalyst is needed to improve the selectivity. In spite of the growing interest in plasma catalysis, the underlying mechanisms of the (possible) synergy between plasma and catalyst are not yet fully understood. Indeed, plasma catalysis is quite complicated, as the plasma will affect the catalyst and vice versa. Moreover, due to the reactive plasma environment, the most suitable catalysts will probably be different from thermal catalysts. More research is needed to better understand the plasma–catalyst interactions, in order to further improve the applications.

The first in-depth treatment of the synthesis, processing, and characterization of nanomaterials using lasers, ranging from fundamentals to the latest research results, this handy reference is divided into two main sections. After introducing the concepts of lasers, nanomaterials, nanoarchitectures and laser-material interactions in the first three chapters, the book goes on to discuss the synthesis of various nanomaterials in vacuum, gas and liquids. The second half discusses various nanomaterial characterization techniques involving lasers, from Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopies to light dynamic scattering, laser spectroscopy and such unusual techniques as laser photo acoustic, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, ultrafast dynamics and laser-induced thermal pulses. The specialist authors adopt a practical approach throughout, with an emphasis on experiments, set-up, and results. Each chapter begins with an introduction and is uniform in covering the basic approaches, experimental setups, and dependencies of the particular method on different parameters, providing sufficient theory and modeling to understand the principles behind the techniques.

This book describes a series of research topics investigated during the 6 years from 2010 through 2015 in the project "Advanced Materials Development and Integration of Novel Structured Metallic and Inorganic Materials". Every section of the book is aimed at understanding the most advanced research by describing details starting with the fundamentals as often as possible. Because both fundamental and cutting-edge topics are contained in this book, it provides a great deal of useful information for chemists as well as for materials scientists and engineers who wish to consider future prospects and innovations. The contents of Novel Structured Metallic and Inorganic Materials are unique in materials science and technology. The project was carried out through the cooperation of research groups in the following six institutes in Japan: the Institute for Materials Research (IMR), Tohoku University; the Materials and Structures Laboratory (MSL), Tokyo Institute of Technology; the Joining and Welding Research Institute (JWRI), Osaka University; the Eco-Topia Science Institute (EST), Nagoya University; the Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering (IBB), Tokyo Medical and Dental University; and the Institute for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (INN), Waseda University. Major objectives of the project included creation of advanced metallic and inorganic materials with a novel structure, as well as development of materials-joining technologies for development of cutting-edge applications as environmental and energy materials, biomedical materials, and electronic materials for contributing to the creation of a safer and more secure society.