Nanoparticle production by plasma

The paper describes a system designed for magnetic as well as nonmagnetic nanoparticle production for ferrofluids and magneto-rheological fluids. Particles of Fe3O4 with a mean diameter of 11.65 nm were obtained by melting the steel and sputtering the molten metal in the argon plasma jet. The thermal decomposition of Fe(Co)5 in plasma led to the obtaining of magnetic particles with a mean diameter of 12.2 nm. Through thermal decomposition in plasma of Fe 2-etilhexamaleath, amorphous and crystalline graphite particles were obtained with a mean diameter of 6.4 nm, useful for producing conductive magnetic liquids. The vaporization of the steel in argon plasma and in helium plasma respectively, led to obtaining of particles of α-Fe and Fe3O4 with diameters in the range 3–90 nm.