Syntesis of Ceramic Materials with Non-Equilibrium Crystal Structure and Chemical Composition by Controlled Thermal Plasma Processing

Abstract

A method of synthesizing functional nanostructured powders through thermal plasma processing has been developed. Nano~submicron-size metal and carbide particles were synthesized through evaporation and subsequent condensation of powders in thermal plasma. The synthesis of nanosized titanium oxide powders was performed by the oxidation of solid and liquid precursors. The plasma-synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles showed phase preferences different from those synthesized by conventional wet-chemical processes. Nanosized particles of high crystallinity and nonequilibrium chemical composition were formed in one step via reactive thermal plasma processing.