Nanomaterials, defined as particles ranging from 1 to 100 nm diameter, have become widely utilized because of their unique physicochemical properties. Among those nanoparticles, titanium dioxide (TiO2) is frequently used in the production of paints, paper, plastics, welding rod-coating material, cosmetics, etc. TiO2 is the most commonly used semiconductor photocatalyst. Among the different nanomaterials, it is the most studied. Activated by UV-A irradiation, its photocatalytic properties have been utilized in various applications. A wealth of information on TiO2 photocatalytic in activation of bacteria has been acquired over the last 20 years. Hence, in this review article we have described synthesis methods mainly sol–gel type method like sol–gel method, ultrasonic-assisted sol–gel method, microemulsion method, colloidal synthesis, and also other method are discussed like solvo-thermal method, thermal plasma process, supersonically expanded plasma jet method, induction plasma torch, reactive plasma processing, plasma electrolytic oxidation, hydrolysis method, thermohydrolysis method, coprecipitation method, citrate–nitrate autocombustion method, etc. Also applications of TiO2 like medical applications, environmental application, sensor application, photocatalytic applications, and also its health impact for long-term exposure are discussed.

A review on nano-TiO2 sol–gel type syntheses and its applications

The quantum wells formed by ultra-thin metallic films on appropriate metallic substrates provide a real example of the simple undergraduate physics problem in quantum mechanics of the `particle in a box'. Photoemission provides a direct probe of the energy of the resulting quantized bound states. In this review the relationship of this simple model system to the real metallic quantum well (QW) is explored, including the way that the exact nature of the boundaries can be taken into account in a relative simple way through the `phase accumulation model'. More detailed aspects of the photoemission probe of QW states are also discussed, notably of the physical processes governing the photon energy dependence of the cross sections, of the influence of temperature, and the processes governing the observed peak widths. These aspects are illustrated with the results of experiments and theoretical studies, especially for the model systems Ag on Fe(100), Ag on V(100) and Cu on fcc Co(100).

https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0034-4885/65/2/201/pdf

Quantum well structures in thin metal films: simple model physics in reality?

Cylindrical microdischarge cavities 200–400 μm in diameter and 0.5–5 mm in depth have been fabricated in silicon and operated at room temperature with neon or nitrogen at specific power loadings beyond 10 kW/cm3. The discharges are azimuthally uniform and stable operation at N2 and Ne pressures exceeding 1 atm and ∼600 Torr, respectively, has been realized for 400 μm diameter devices. Spectroscopic measurements on neon discharges demonstrate that the device behaves as a hollow cathode discharge for pressures >50 Torr. As evidenced by emission from Ne and Ne+ (2P,2F) states as well as N2 (C→B) fluorescence (316–492 nm), these discharge devices are intense sources of ultraviolet and visible radiation and are suitable for fabrication as arrays.

Microdischarge devices fabricated in silicon

Recent advances in synthesis and surface modification of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles with silica

Growing demands on the quality of thermally sprayed coatings require reliable methods to monitor and optimize the spraying processes. Thus, the importance of diagnostic methods is increasing. A critical requirement of diagnostic methods in thermal spray is the accurate measurement of temperatures. This refers to the hot working gases as well as to the in-flight temperature of the particles. This article gives a review of plasma and particle temperature measurements in thermal spray. The enthalpy probe, optical emission spectroscopy, and computer tomography are introduced for plasma measurements. To determine the in-flight particle temperatures mainly multicolor pyrometry is applied and is hence described in detail. The theoretical background, operation principles and setups are given for each technique. Special interest is attached to calibration methods, application limits, and sources of errors. Furthermore, examples of fields of application are given in the form of results of current research work.

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Plasma and Particle Temperature Measurements in Thermal Spray: Approaches and Applications

The excitation temperature of the plasma column in a spray torch can be determined using the atomic Boltzmann method. The spatially integrated intensities of emission lines resulting from Ar-I transitions in the wavelength region 400 - 451 nm have been measured. The central axis temperature of an inhomogeneous, axisymmetric, plasma column has been determined using a modified atomic Boltzmann technique without using the Abel inversion technique. The spectral measurements were made up to a distance of 20 mm from the nozzle exit point. The plasma torch was operated at power levels of 5 and 10 kW and the flow of argon was kept at 25 l/min. The average temperature of the plasma jet at the nozzle exit point was estimated using an energy balance technique. The temperatures estimated using heat loss data and the centre line temperature differ significantly. A simple analytical expression was used to relate the average temperature and centre line temperature at the nozzle exit point. The temperature profile parameter n has also been calculated.

https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0957-0233/8/10/016/pdf

Variation of axial temperature in thermal plasma jets

A numerical study is done to understand the possible operating regimes of RF-ICP torch (3 MHz, 50 kW) using different gases for plasma formation at atmospheric pressure. A two dimensional numerical simulation of RF-ICP torch using argon, nitrogen, oxygen, and air as plasma gas has been investigated using computational fluid dynamic (CFD) software fluent©. The operating parameters varied here are central gas flow, sheath gas flow, RF-power dissipated in plasma, and plasma gas. The temperature contours, flow field, axial, and radial velocity profiles were investigated under different operating conditions. The plasma resistance, inductance of the torch, and the heat distribution for various plasma gases have also been investigated. The plasma impedance of ICP torch varies with different operating parameters and plays an important role for RF oscillator design and power coupling. These studies will be useful to decide the design criteria for ICP torches required for different material processing applications.

A comprehensive study of different gases in inductively coupled plasma torch operating at one atmosphere

The electron number density has been measured in a plasma spray torch using Stark broadening of H
 $_{\beta}$
 and Ar-I (430 nm) line. A small amount of hydrogen (1% by volume in argon gas) was introduced to study the H
 $_{\beta}$
 line profile. Axial variation of electron number density has been determined up to a distance of 20 mm from the nozzle exit point of spray torch. The plasma torch was operated at 5 and 10 kW power level and flow of argon was kept at 25 liters per minute. Using the measured excitation temperature data under same experimental conditions, the electron number density has also been calculated using Saha equation. Comparison of electron number densities measured from Stark broadening with those derived from excitation temperature measurements under the assumption of local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) in thermal plasma jets indicate about the deviation from LTE in thermal plasma jets. The electron number density measurement using Stark broadening of Ar-I (430 nm) line will be particularly useful when only argon gas is used in thermal plasma jets.

Axial variation of electron number density in thermal plasma spray jets

Study of a supersonic thermal plasma expansion process for synthesis of nanostructured TiO2

Investigations using in situ precursor spectroscopy during the growth of nanoparticles of iron oxide by thermal plasma induced gas phase condensation method have been shown to be useful for correlating the size of nanoparticles with existing plasma parameters. The relative abundance of ionized Fe species inside the plasma plume is seen to directly establish the relation between particle size, arc current, arc length, and ambient pressure of the reacting oxygen gas. The argon plasma from a transferred arc reactor is made to impinge on the anode that is allowed to vaporize and react with oxygen. The spectral line profiles of both Ar and Fe along the plasma column during the synthesis of nanoparticles have been proved to be useful in understanding the growth mechanism. Band intensities of FeO molecular states indicated the inverse relation with particle sizes that have been correlated to the two competitive processes in which energy is released, namely: 1) one involving the radiative transition and 2) the other that of the growth by coagulation. Atomic Boltzmann plots are used for estimating the temperatures of the zones, whereas particle sizes have been inferred using transmission electron microscopic measurements

N.K. Joshi

Papers

Variation of axial temperature in thermal plasma jets

A comprehensive study of different gases in inductively coupled plasma torch operating at one atmosphere

Axial variation of electron number density in thermal plasma spray jets

Study of a supersonic thermal plasma expansion process for synthesis of nanostructured TiO2

In Situ Optical Emission Spectroscopic Investigations During Arc Plasma Synthesis of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles by Thermal Plasma