preprints.org > chemistry and materials science > nanotechnology > doi: 10.20944/preprints201704.0089.v1

Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Version 1 : Received: 14 April 2017 / Approved: 14 April 2017 / Online: 14 April 2017 (12:11:50 CEST)

Nanopowders are continuously under investigation as they open new perspectives in numerous fields. There are two main challenges to stimulate their development: sufficient low-cost high throughput synthesis methods leading to a production with well-defined and reproducible properties, and for ceramics, conservation of their nanostructure after sintering. In this context, this paper presents the synthesis of a pure nanosized powder of ZnO (dv₅₀ ~ 60 nm, easily redispersable) by using a continuous Segmented Flow Tubular Reactor (SFTR), which has previously shown its versatility and its robustness, ensuring a high powder quality and reproducibility over time. A higher scale of production can be achieved based on a “scale-out” concept by replicating the tubular reactors. The sinterability of ZnO nanopowders synthesized by the SFTR was studied, by natural sintering at 900 °C and 1100 °C, and Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) at 900 °C. The performances of the synthesized nanopowder were compared to a commercial ZnO nanopowder of high quality. The samples obtained from the synthesized nanopowder could not be densified at low temperature by traditional sintering, whereas SPS led to a fully dense material after only 5 minutes at 900 °C, while limiting the grain growth and thus leading to a nanostructured material.

ZnO; ceramic nanopowders; Segmented Flow Tubular Reactor (SFTR); Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS)

Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanotechnology

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