Generation and Sizing of Particles for Aerosol-Based Nanotechnology

The Nano-Particle Mass Classifier (Nano-PMC): Development, Characterization, and Application for Determining the Mass, Apparent Density, and Shape of Particles with Masses Down to the Zeptogram Range

“…Aerosol classifiers in view of their numerous applications are readily employed for particle characterization in the environment and for the development of nanotechnologies (McMurry 2000;Biskos et al 2008). The most widely used instruments for classifying aerosol particles in the sub-micron size range are based on particle electrical mobility, a property that depends on their size and morphology but is independent of mass or density.…”

A Cost-Effective Method of Aerosolizing Dry Powdered Nanoparticles

“…"Wet" aerosolization methods include pneumatic (nebulizing), electrospray, and ultrasonic techniques (Biskos et al 2008), all of which create a spray from a liquid solution or suspension. Three types of aerosols can be produced: droplets from low-volatility liquids, or, upon drying, salts of a dissolved compound, or solids from a suspension.…”

“…Through interaction with impurities in the solvent or with the solvent itself, the particle surface may be chemically altered (Biskos et al 2008;Masuda 2009). Sullivan et al (2010) found that the hygroscopicity of wet-generated CaCO 3 aerosols exceeded that of dry-generated CaCO 3 aerosols by a factor of 100 and that the hygroscopicity increased with both increasing time spent in water and with decreasing particle size.…”

Fluidized Bed Generation of Stable Silica Nanoparticle Aerosols

“…Often, drop formation and evaporation is facilitated by means of ultrasound, vibrating orifice systems, pneumatic or electro hydrodynamic atomization, spray pyrolysis, and condensation devices (John 1993;Biskos et al 2008). While wet generation methods have the advantage of a high flexibility regarding the nature of the particles that can be produced, they also present important problems, including the presence of impurities in the solvent, the production of aerosols with a low nanoparticle concentration, and the difficulties in achieving a sufficiently low droplet size (Biskos et al 2008), in addition to the obvious problem of having to evaporate a large amount of solvent that is then entrained in the produced aerosol. This has prompted numerous studies to aim to achieve stable aerosol generation by dry processes.…”

“…This has prompted numerous studies to aim to achieve stable aerosol generation by dry processes. Spark generation and electrospray can be used to produce highly stable aerosols containing engineered nanomaterials, including carbon nanotubes and nanosized metal oxides (Biskos et al 2008;Bau et al 2010;Jennerjohn et al 2010;MacMillan et al 2012). These systems produce stable nanoparticle aerosols with controllable sizes up to several hours of operation.…”