Apparatus for particle synthesis

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for small particle and nanoparticle synthesis. A durable particle generator capable of high temperature particle synthesis is disclosed. The particle generator is configured as to minimize susceptor degradation associated with harsh reaction conditions.

1 . A particle generator comprising at least one vessel comprising:
 (a) an interior space for accommodating the passage of reactant material therethrough, (b) at least one susceptor capable of generating heat when acted upon by energy and being disposed such that a temperature sufficient to heat the reactant material within a predetermined range is achieved within the interior space; and (c) a heat-transmitting barrier layer interposed between said susceptor and the interior space for isolating said susceptor from the reactant material.   
     
     
         2 . The particle generator of  claim 1  further comprising at least one energy source for providing the energy to said susceptor. 
     
     
         3 . The particle generator of  claim 2  wherein said energy source is a source of electromagnetic radiation. 
     
     
         4 . The particle generator of  claim 3  wherein the source of electromagnetic radiation is an induction heating system. 
     
     
         5 . The particle generator of  claim 3  wherein the source of electromagnetic radiation is a dielectric heating system. 
     
     
         6 . The particle generator of  claim 3  wherein the source of electromagnetic radiation is a microwave heating system. 
     
     
         7 . The particle generator of  claim 1  wherein the susceptor is selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, platinum, rhodium, graphite and a platinumrhodium compound. 
     
     
         8 . The particle generator of  claim 1  wherein the barrier layer comprises a material which is nonreactive with respect to the reactant material. 
     
     
         9 . The particle generator of  claim 1  wherein the barrier layer comprises quartz. 
     
     
         10 . The particle generator of  claim 1  wherein the barrier layer comprises silica glass. 
     
     
         11 . The particle generator of  claim 1  wherein the barrier layer comprises a ceramic material. 
     
     
         12 . The particle generator of  claim 1  wherein the barrier layer encases said susceptor. 
     
     
         13 . The particle generator of  claim 12  wherein the susceptor is selected from the group consisting of ceramic materials, quartz, silica glass, molybdenum, platinum, rhodium, graphite and a platinumrhodium compound. 
     
     
         14 . The particle generator of  claim 12  wherein an evacuated space is present between the barrier layer and said susceptor. 
     
     
         15 . The particle generator of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of vessels providing a continuous flow path wherein the plurality of vessels are connected in sequence such that the interior space of each of the plurality of vessels is in fluid communication with the interior space of the next vessel in sequence. 
     
     
         16 . The particle generator of  claim 15  wherein said continuous flow path is disposed such that turbulent flow causes mixing of the material in at least one of the plurality of vessels. 
     
     
         17 . The particle generator of  claim 15  wherein said energy source of each of the plurality of vessels is independent from each other for individual heating of each of the vessels. 
     
     
         18 . The particle generator of  claim 15  wherein at least one of the plurality of vessels is a preheater for heating material to a temperature less than the temperature required for particle generation. 
     
     
         19 . The particle generator of  claim 15  further comprising at least one inlet transversing the barrier layer for introducing precursor materials at a desired location along the continuous flow path. 
     
     
         20 . A particle generator comprising:
 at least one cylindrical vessel comprising an interior space for accommodating precursor materials;   at least one inlet for receiving precursor materials in fluid communication with said cylindrical vessel;   at least one cylindrical susceptor, wherein said susceptor is selected from the group consisting of platinum, rhodium, graphite, and a platinumrhodium compound, capable of being acted upon by electromagnetic energy, generating heat and being disposed such that a temperature sufficient to heat the reactant material within a predetermined range is achieved within the interior space;   a barrier layer, wherein the barrier layer is selected from the group consisting of silica glass and quartz, encasing said susceptor wherein an evacuated space is present between said susceptor and the barrier layer; and   an energy source in communication with said cylindrical vessel for providing electromagnetic energy to said susceptor.   
     
     
         21 . A particle generator comprising at least one vessel comprising:
 (a) an interior space for accommodating the passage of reactant material therethrough; (b) at least one susceptor selected from the group consisting of ceramic materials, quartz, silica glass, molybdenum, platinum, rhodium, graphite and a platinumrhodium compound capable of generating heat when acted upon by electromagnetic energy from a corresponding energy source and being disposed such that a temperature sufficient to heat the reactant material within a predetermined range is achieved within the interior space; and (c) at least one energy source for providing the electromagnetic energy to said susceptor wherein the energy source is selected from the group consisting of a microwave heating system and a laser heating system.