Scalable nanoparticle synthesis in liquids using laser induced plasmas at phase boundaries

Summary form only given. Nanofluids are a new class of fluids engineered by dispersing nanoparticles of size less than 100 nm in base fluids. Nanofluids have been found to possess highly enhanced physical, chemical, thermal and transport properties compared to the base fluids, which demonstrates the great potential for combustion, liquid propellant, microelectronics, optical and thermal emission devices, energy storage, heat exchanger-cooling systems, hydrogen generation, nuclear safety, and in underwater and military applications. In this experimental investigation the feasibility results of producing scalable enhanced nanoparticles in liquids laser induced plasmas at liquid-metal (Al) phase boundaries using our laser plasma facility will be presented. The formation and dynamics of laser plasmas and shock waves at liquid-metal phase boundary was affected by the conditions of strong liquid confinement. The plasma and shock spatio-temporal dynamics and velocities varied for different laser transfer matrix and experimental conditions. The plasma electron density of the laser induced plasma at liquid-Al phase boundaries was measured using a two-wavelength laser interferometry. In order to better understand the relationship and synthesis of effective nanofluids the preliminary results of correlating the plasma characteristics with the nanoparticles size and size distribution will be presented.