Abstract
A key need identified across nanomanufacturing industry is the capability for real-time characterization of nanoparticles smaller than 50 nanometers on-line of synthesis processes. There is often an inadequate ability to monitor and control production processes for nanoscale materials, resulting in variability in product quality, which hinders progress in research and product development. A project was executed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to demonstrate the capability of on-line real-time characterization of nanoparticle production on a system characteristic of those of great interest to nanomanufacturing industry. Production of titanium nanoparticles in vapor phase was chosen as a generic process for the demonstration.
The results reported indicate that the analyzer could be used as a continuous monitor for precision nanoparticle production. The measurement technology is commercially available and provides reasonably stable performance throughout all the experiments designed for the demonstration. Recommendation was made in regarding real-time on-line characterization of engineered nanoparticle manufacturing.
