Use of elemental size distributions in identifying particle formation modes

The chemical composition of particles generated during pulverized coal combustion is the consequence of their formation processes. This work aims to use the size resolved elemental composition of coal-derived particles to identify their formation modes. A size-classified bituminous coal is burnt in a laboratory drop tube furnace at 1150, 1250, and 1350 °C, respectively. The elemental composition of the size-segregated particles from coal combustion is analyzed and the total mass fraction size distributions of Si and Al are obtained. Three particle formation modes are observed in these distribution profiles. The coarse mode has the highest value of the total mass fraction of Si and Al while the ultrafine mode has the lowest one. The total mass fraction of Si and Al in these two modes is nearly independent of particle size. It is believed that the coarse mode is formed by the mineral coalescence mechanism and the ultrafine mode by the vaporization–condensation mechanism. The difference in the total mass fraction of Si and Al between the central mode and the other two indicates that the central mode is formed by different mechanisms. Based on the observation that the total mass fraction of Si and Al in this mode increases with increasing particle size, heterogeneous condensation of vaporized species on existing fine residual ash particles is proposed to account for the formation of these particles. The study of the elemental composition of the three modes represented in five categories verifies the proposed formation mechanisms for them to some extent.     

Particle transport by standing waves on an electric curtain

Discrete-element simulations are performed to study particle transport by standing waves on an electric curtain. An electric curtain consists of a series of parallel electrodes with oscillating potential field embedded in a dielectric surface. The study shows that particles can be transported in two different modes under excitation by standing waves. In the first mode, particles roll along the surface in a constant direction with average velocity equal to the wave speed. In the second mode, particles hop along the surface in a manner akin to a Brownian motion. Effect of particle collisions on these transport modes is evaluated.     

Energetic-ion excited internal kink modes with weak magnetic shear in q0> 1 tokamak plasmas

The energetic particle driven internal kink mode is investigated in this paper for q0 1 tokamak plasma with weak magnetic shear. With the effect of energetic particles, the m/n = 1/1 internal mode structure in tokamak plasma does not appear as a rigid step-function when safety factor passes through q = 1 rational surface. It is found that even when the rational surface is removed, the mode may be still unstable under the low magnetic shear condition if the energetic particle drive is strong enough; with the low shear region of safety factor profile widening, the mode becomes more unstable with its growth-rate increasing. Furthermore, we find that the existence of the q = 1 rational surface does not have a significant effect on the stability of the plasma if energetic particles are present, which is very different from the scenarios of the ideal-MHD modes.     

Ignition of fuel/air mixtures by radiatively heated particles

The current work examines the ignition of fuel/air mixtures by particles which have been heated up rapidly by intense electromagnetic radiation from an infrared laser source. Experiments have been conducted at relatively large beam sizes, where ignition times are a function of the irradiance. Particles in the form of fine powders were placed into a chamber filled with ignitable butane/air mixtures. Possible ignition is shown for a range of carbon based materials including different carbon blacks, graphite, the C₆₀ fullerene and diamond powder, as well as for non-reactive powders such as silicon carbide, iron-, copper- and silicon oxides. The irradiance was varied independently and results are shown to become independent of the size of the irradiated area if a sufficiently large area is illuminated. The particle size was found to have a significant impact on the time to ignition. Specifically, finer particles lead to shorter ignition times due to the higher surface area to volume ratio which reduces both particle and gas heating times. Ignition could be achieved across the whole flammability range of butane/air using carbon black and silicon carbide particles, although, near the rich flammability no ignition could be obtained with carbon black.     

Emission measurement and safety assessment for the production process of silicon nanoparticles in a pilot-scale facility

Emission into the workplace was measured for the production process of silicon nanoparticles in a pilot-scale facility at the Institute of Energy and Environmental Technology e.V. (IUTA). The silicon nanoparticles were produced in a hot-wall reactor and consisted of primary particles around 60 nm in diameter. We employed real-time aerosol instruments to measure particle number and lung-deposited surface area concentrations and size distribution; airborne particles were also collected for off-line electron microscopic analysis. Emission of silicon nanoparticles was not detected during the processes of synthesis, collection, and bagging. This was attributed to the completely closed production system and other safety measures against particle release which will be discussed briefly. Emission of silicon nanoparticles significantly above the detection limit was only observed during the cleaning process when the production system was open and manually cleaned. The majority of the detected particles was in the size range of 100–400 nm and were silicon nanoparticle agglomerates first deposited in the tubing then re-suspended during the cleaning process. Appropriate personal protection equipment is recommended for safety protection of the workers during cleaning.     

Whispering gallery mode biosensors in the low-Q limit

Whispering gallery modes (WGM) of dye-doped polystyrene beads with diameters from 20 down to 1.5 μm are studied with respect to their appearance and linewidth by excitation of the entire mode spectrum within the emission range of the dye. The lowest order (q=1) modes, which travel most closely to the inner particle surface, are assigned to their individual quantum numbers by means of a least-square-fit, resulting in a precise determination of particle radius and eccentricity. On this basis, the suitability of these microscopic cavities for applications in optical (bio-)sensing is explored. Due to the low quality (Q) factors of these small cavities, particles with diameters below 6 μm exhibit only q=1 modes, thereby causing a drastic simplification of the WGM spectrum. In such spectra, the shift in the WGM positions upon molecular adsorption can be easily monitored, as we demonstrate for the adsorption of bovine serum albumin as well as multiple layers of polyelectrolytes onto the surface of particles with 2 μm diameter. Mie simulations are used to confirm our findings. With a mass sensitivity limit of 3 fg, these microscopic sensors are highly competitive in the field of label-free detection techniques. Moreover, their small size and the simplified, dye-mediated excitation and detection scheme may pave the way to remote in-vitro biosensing in the future. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi: ) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. PACS 07.07.Df; 42.60.Da; 42.70.Jk     

纳米颗粒的表面效应和电极颗粒间挤压作用对锂离子电池电压迟滞的影响

硅作为锂离子电池电极材料之一,其应力效应尤为突出,进而将影响电池性能.本文建立了电化学反应-扩散-应力全耦合模型,并研究了恒压充放电条件下扩散诱导应力、表面效应和颗粒间挤压作用对电压迟滞的影响.结果发现,应力及其导致的电压迟滞程度与颗粒尺寸相关.在大颗粒(颗粒半径r 100 nm)中,扩散诱导应力是导致电势迟滞效应的主要因素,这将导致电池能量耗散.对于纳米级小颗粒(r 100 nm)而言,表面效应占据主导,表面效应虽然能缓解电压迟滞,同时却会使驱动电化学反应部分的过电势回线下移,造成锂化容量衰减.本文综合考虑了扩散诱导应力和表面效应,得出:半径为10 nm的颗粒将会使电极具备较好的综合性能.此外,对于硅电极而言,颗粒间挤压作用会使应力回线向压应力状态演化,进而导致锂化容量的衰减.计算结果表明,在电极设计中,对孔隙率设定下限值有助于提升电极性能.     

Use of an electrical aerosol detector (EAD) for nanoparticle size distribution measurement

Recently, Nanoparticle Surface Area Monitor (NSAM, TSI model 3550) and EAD (EAD, TSI Model 3070A) have been commercially available to measure the integral parameters (i.e., total particle surface area and total particle length) of nanoparticles. By comparison, the configuration of the EAD or NSAM is similar to that of electrical mobility analyzer of the early generation for particle size distribution measurement. It is therefore possible to use the EAD or NSAM as a particle sizer. To realize the objective of using the EAD as a sizer, we characterized the average electrical charges of monodisperse particles passing through the EAD particle charger and ion trap set at voltages ranging from 20 to 2500 V. The average charge data collected at different ion-trap voltages were then summarized by the empirical correlation using the parameter of Z _p *V, where Z _p is the particle electrical mobility and V is the ion-trap voltage. A data-reduction scheme was further proposed to retrieve the size distribution of sampled particles from the EAD readout at different ion-trap voltages. In the scheme, the functional format of each mode in a number size distribution of particles was assumed as log-normal, but the number of modes in an entire size distribution is not limited. A criterion was used to best fit the simulated EAD readouts with experimental ones by varying the count median diameter (CMD), geometric standard deviation (σ _g), and total particle number (N _t ) of each mode in a particle size distribution. Experiments were performed to verify the proposed scheme.     

Surface effects on optical phonons and on phonon-plasmon modes

The size and shape dependence of the properties of long wave optical phonons in polar crystals is discussed. The main effect occurring due to the presence of surfaces is the appearance of a surface optical phonon band in the frequency region between the frequencies ω_t and ω_l of the long wave transverse and longitudinal bulk modes. The surface modes give rise to strong absorption peaks in the infrared absorption spectra of small samples. For very small crystallites the surface mode absorption is dominant, and as the size of the specimens is increased, the ratio of surface to bulk mode absorption decreases. It is shown that the large spread in particle sizes usually encountered in experimental work and the increased damping of the phonon modes in small samples both tend to obscure the fine structure of the absorption spectrum. The surface phonon-plasmon modes in polar crystals containing free carriers are treated in an analogous manner.     

Ultraviolet laser removal of small metallic particles from silicon wafers

Laser removal of small 1 μm sized copper, gold and tungsten particles from silicon wafer surfaces was carried out using ultraviolet radiation at 266 nm generated by Nd:YAG harmonic generation. Successful removal of both copper and gold particles from the surface was achieved whereas tungsten particles proved to be difficult to remove. The cleaning efficiency was increased with an increase of laser fluence. The optimum processing window for safe cleaning of the surface without any substrate damage was determined by measuring the damage threshold laser fluence on the silicon substrate and the required fluence for complete removal of the particles. The different cleaning efficiencies with particle type are discussed by considering the adhesion force of the particle on the surface and the laser-induced cleaning force for the three different particles.     

An investigation into the mechanical properties of silicon nanoparticles using molecular dynamics simulations with parallel computing

This study investigates the mechanical properties of cubic silicon nanoparticles with side lengths ranging from 2.7 to 16.3 nm using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation with parallel computing technique. The results reveal that the surface energy of the particles increases significantly as the particle size decreases. Furthermore, having passed the point of maximum compressive load, the phase transformation region of the particles gradually transfers from the core to the surface. The small volume of the current nanoparticles suppresses the nucleation of dislocations, and as a result, the maximum strength and Young’s modulus values of all but the smallest of the current nanoparticles are greater than the corresponding values in bulk silicon. Finally, it is found that the silicon nanoparticles with a side length of 10.86 nm exhibit the greatest maximum strength (24 GPa). In nanoparticles with shorter side lengths, the maximum strength decreases significantly as the volume of the nanoparticle is reduced.     

不同振动模式下颗粒分离行为的数值模拟

利用三维离散元法对垂直方向上的直线、圆和椭圆振动模式颗粒分离过程进行了数值模拟研究,对直线振动时上层大颗粒的波动及圆和椭圆振动时出现的聚集、循环等现象的形成机理进行了分析,并讨论了振动强度对各振动模式下颗粒分离形态的影响规律. 研究表明,综合运用空隙填充、侧面驱动的颗粒运动和能量非均匀分布三种机理,并结合颗粒群的速度矢量分布情况能够较好地解释各振动模式下的颗粒分离行为. 振动强度对圆和椭圆振动模式的分离形态具有显著的影响,并在振动强度约为3时,各种振动模式均具有良好的颗粒分离效果和稳定的颗粒运动状态.     

Plasma synthesis of semiconductor nanocrystals for nanoelectronics and luminescence applications

Functional nanocrystals are widely considered as novel building blocks for nanostructured materials and devices. Numerous synthesis approaches have been proposed in the solid, liquid and gas phase. Among the gas phase approaches, low pressure nonthermal plasmas offer some unique and beneficial features. Particles acquire a unipolar charge which reduces or eliminates agglomeration; particles can be electrostatically confined in a reactor based on their charge; strongly exothermic reactions at the particle surface heat particles to temperatures that significantly exceed the gas temperature and facilitate the formation of high quality crystals. This paper discusses two examples for the use of low pressure nonthermal plasmas. The first example is that of a constricted capacitive plasma for the formation of highly monodisperse, cubic-shaped silicon nanocrystals with an average size of 35 nm. The growth process of the particles is discussed. The silicon nanocubes have successfully been used as building blocks for nanoparticle-based transistors. The second example focuses on the synthesis of photoluminescent silicon crystals in the 3–6 nm size range. The synthesis approach described has enabled the synthesis of macroscopic quantities of quantum dots, with mass yields of several mg/hour. Quantum yields for photoluminescence as high as 67% have been achieved.     

不同振动模式下颗粒分离行为的数值模拟

利用三维离散元法对垂直方向上的直线、圆和椭圆振动模式颗粒分离过程进行了数值模拟研究,对直线振动时上层大颗粒的波动及圆和椭圆振动时出现的聚集、循环等现象的形成机理进行了分析,并讨论了振动强度对各振动模式下颗粒分离形态的影响规律. 研究表明,综合运用空隙填充、侧面驱动的颗粒运动和能量非均匀分布三种机理,并结合颗粒群的速度矢量分布情况能够较好地解释各振动模式下的颗粒分离行为. 振动强度对圆和椭圆振动模式的分离形态具有显著的影响,并在振动强度约为3时,各种振动模式均具有良好的颗粒分离效果和稳定的颗粒运动状态. 关键词： 振动模式 颗粒分离 离散元法 数值模拟     

Infrared absorption in spheroidal crystallites

Infrared absorption spectra of spheroidal particles of polar crystals are calculated by using the point matching method. Retardation effects are taken into account, so that the dependnece of the spectrum on the size of the particle can be investigated. It is found that the surface mode absorption peaks broaden and shift to lower frequencies with increasing particle size. Comparison with the absorption spectra of equivolumic spheres is performed and some consequences regarding the interpretation of experimental spectra are discussed.     

Non-Invasive Size-Control of Pneumatically Conveyed Particles

Investigations on the size control of pneumatically conveyed coarse particles were carried out using a microphone which detects the structure-borne sound caused by the impact of the particles on the pipe wall. Modes of eigenvibrations of the pipes are excited up to a maximum frequency, which decreases with increasing particle size. In an assembly of different sized particles, the lower frequencies are more stimulated as the fraction of larger particles increases. Changes in the particle size distribution are detected by analysing the intensities of the vibration modes which are set up in the walls of the tube by particle impact. One application is the monitoring of the upper range of a particle size distribution.     

Prediction improvements of ignition characteristics of isolated coal particles with a one-dimensional transient model

A modified 1-D transient model considering intra-particle thermal conduction is adopted to improve the predictions of the ignition characteristics of isolated coal particles. The study aims at resolving the incorrect prediction on the variation trend of ignition temperature T_i with the change of oxygen concentration X_O2, interpreting the contradictory dependencies on coal particle size and furnace temperature and clarifying the conditions when the intra-particle thermal conduction should be considered. The predictions are compared with microgravity data in which the buoyancy effect is minimized. The results reveal that the previous ignition model with transient adiabatic criterion fails to predict the T_i variation with X_O2, since it cannot accurately predict T_i and delay time in the low X_O2 region. Instead, the ignition model with flammability limit ignition criterion can well predict T_i in a wide range of X_O2. Intra-particle thermal conduction causes remarkable temperature differences for large coal particles, and moreover, the variation trends of surface and center temperatures with particle size are very different. The center temperature at ignition drops remarkably with increasing particle size, while the surface temperature barely changes or slightly increases with particle size. At the same particle size, the variation trends of surface and center temperatures with furnace temperature are also opposite. The ignition mode and variation trend of ignition surface temperature with particle size depends on the heating rate and particle size itself. The contradictory experimental results reported by different researchers are attributed to the particle size and temperature measurement location. The conditions necessary to consider the intra-particle thermal conduction are discussed. Lastly, the effect of the intraparticle thermal conduction is shown on an ignition mode diagram.     

Polarized light-scattering measurements of dielectric spheres upon a silicon surface

The polarization of light scattered into directions out of the plane of incidence by polystyrene latex spheres upon a silicon substrate was measured for p -polarized incident light. The experimental data show good agreement with theoretical predictions for three sizes of spheres. These results demonstrate that the polarization of light scattered by particles can be used to determine the size of particulate contaminants on silicon wafers. Theoretical models, based on successive degrees of approximation, indicate that the mean distance of a particle from the surface is the primary determinant of the scattered light polarization for small out-of-plane scattering angles.     

不同模态沙尘暴对太赫兹波的衰减分析

太赫兹波空间传输特性研究对于太赫兹波在空间中的应用具有重要意义.为研究太赫兹波在沙尘暴天气中的传输特性,本文根据沙尘粒子尺度的对数正态分布,应用Mie散射理论和Monte Carlo方法,分析了国内不同地域的六种干沙模态沙尘暴对1—10 THz频段太赫兹波的衰减特性,给出了消光参量和衰减率与频率的关系.结果表明,随着频率的增大,1—10 THz频段太赫兹波的衰减率呈先增加后减小的趋势,沙尘暴的模态不同,太赫兹波衰减较强的频段范围有所不同.为了分析沙粒含水量对太赫兹波传输衰减的影响,计算了不同尺寸的沙尘粒子3个效率因子与含水量的关系,发现粒子尺寸不同,含水量对消光的影响也不同;应用Monte Carlo方法计算了两种湿沙模态的沙尘暴对1—10 THz频段太赫兹波的衰减,给出了衰减率与含水量及频率的关系.结果表明,随沙粒含水量增大,沙尘暴对太赫兹波衰减较强的频段向低频方向移动,含水量小于5%时,太赫兹波衰减率随含水量增大显著增强,湿度较大的沙尘暴天气对太赫兹波的传输衰减影响更大.     

Synthesis and morphology of silicon oxide nanowires from a free jet activated by electron-beam plasma

Silicon oxide nanowires were synthesized from monosilane–argon–hydrogen mixture by the gas-jet electron-beam plasma chemical deposition method with simultaneous oxygen injection into the vacuum chamber. The synthesis was performed on monocrystalline silicon substrates covered with micron and nanometer tin catalyst particles. The nanowires are formed the via vapor–liquid–solid mechanism in the “catalyst-on-bottom” mode, in which many nanowires grow from one catalyst particle. The process of synthesizing nanowires on a substrate with catalyst consists of three stages: heating to synthesis temperature, hydrogen plasma treatment, and nanowire growth. In the substrate region corresponding to the jet axis, different structures are formed depending on the catalyst particle size. For catalyst particles under 100 nm, there are formed structures of chaotically oriented and interlaced bundles of silica nanowires. For catalyst particles of 0.3–1 micron, there are formed oriented arrays of cylindrically shaped nanowire bundles (“microropes”). Cocoon-like structures are formed for catalyst particles of more than 1 micron.We propose a model of nanowire growth by this method, which is based on nonuniform heating of a catalyst particle by a directed plasma flow. It was found that for synthesis of oriented microrope arrays the initial tin film thickness should be less than 100 nm and the synthesis process should include a hydrogen plasma treatment stage.