Improved Dual-Plasma Process for the Synthesis of Coated or Functionalized Metal Nanoparticles

An improved dual-plasma process for the synthesis of nonagglomerated, organic layer-coated metal nanoparticles is presented. Nanoparticle synthesis is achieved by means of pulsed arc erosion of a copper cathode. Particles are coated in-flight through RF plasma polymerization of ethane. The axially symmetric geometry takes advantage of the initial nanoparticle trajectories and charging effects within the RF plasma, thus enhancing particle collection efficiency.