Low-Temperature Underwater Plasma as an Instrument to Manufacture Inorganic Nanomaterials

Abstract

The synthetic method used to manufacture nanostructures affects the properties of the product material. Traditional preparative methods require further purification of the product compounds from unreacted precursors and synthesis by-products and their recycling. The combination of low-temperature plasma generated between two metal electrodes and distilled water avoids those disadvantages. Here, the experience of using in-solution burning plasma in the synthesis of nanostructured inorganic materials is generalized. The structures manufactured with electrodes made of one or two materials have been studied. The thus manufactured nanostructures were characterized using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray powder diffraction. It has been found that oxide nanostructures with metals in different oxidation states can be manufactured under the underwater plasma conditions. An option to produce metal–polymer nanocomposites, doped oxide nanostructures, mixed oxides, and nanoalloys has been shown. A formation mechanism of metal oxides in the plasma zone has been suggested. The results of using the manufactured nanomaterials as photocells, sorbents of organic and inorganic contaminants, and bactericidal agents are presented.