Dispersion of particulate clusters via the rapid vaporization of interstitial liquid

A method for the dispersion of particle clusters driven by the pressure generated from the volatilization of interstitial liquid is described. To demonstrate the method, carbon black agglomerates were heated to induce the rapid evaporation of incorporated water or acetone, which resulted in breakage of the particle cluster. Measurements of the resulting fragment size distribution demonstrate the influence of processing temperature and type of incorporated liquid on the dispersion process.