AEROSOL PROCESSING OF MATERIALS

Recent advances in aerosol generation of materials are reviewed. Gas-to-particle and spray processes (spray pyrolysis) for powder generation and various routes for film generation are discussed from the experimental and theoretical perspectives. The range of materials generated by these routes has increased in recent years to include fullerenes and ceramic superconductors. Many metals and various oxide and nonoxide ceramics have also been added to the list of materials generated by pas-phase routes. Established aerosol routes such as vapor condensation have found widespread applications for generation of nanophase materials. The formation of quantum dots via aerosol approaches has also been demonstrated. The theoretical understanding of gas-to-particle conversion routes has advanced to include the finite rate of particle fusion or sintering occurring after collisions of particles. The modeling of spray pyrolysis systems has provided insight into the control of particle morphology and reactor design. In this review, these recent developments in aerosol generation of powders and films via gas-phase and spray routes are discussed with an emphasis on the material chemistries involved and the synthesis of nanophase materials.