Properties of oxide nanopowders prepared by target evaporation with a pulse-periodic co2 laser

The design and characteristics of a setup for producing metal oxide nanopowders with an output of up to 20 g/h are discussed. The grain mean size in the powders is 15 nm, and the radiation power consumption is 30—40 (W h)/g. Y2O3-stabilized ZrO2 (YSZ) and Al2O3 + YSZ nanopowders are prepared by target evaporation with a pulse-periodic CO2 laser, followed by vapor condensation in an air stream. The mean power, peak power, and efficiency of the pulse-periodic CO2 laser, excited by a combined discharge, are, respectively, 1 kW, 10 kW, and ≈10%. Data for the powder specific surface, grain shape, and grain size distribution, as well as results of X-ray phase and structure analysis, are reported.