In
this study, the technological feasibility of an electrospray-based
flame synthesis process for the production of thin films of nanosized
metal oxide particulates was investigated. On the basis of published
results on electro-hydrodynamic atomization, a spray system was designed,
implemented, and tested. Initial tests focused on synthesis of yttria-stabilized
zirconia (YSZ) particulates, and the results showed that aggregates
with quasi-monodisperse primary particle sizes below 100 nm with cubic-fluorite
crystal phase composition can be manufactured through this production
route. These tests utilized organometallic solutions of Zr-n-propoxide
and Y-2-methoxyethoxide in a mixture of n-propanol
and 2-methoxyethanol, which were electrosprayed into the postflame
flow of a multielement diffusion burner. Both theoretical analysis
and experimental evidence indicate that controlled synthesis of particulate
with narrow particle size distribution is feasible. The radial arrangement
of electrospray emitters chosen for the initial experiments appears
to be a promising spray configuration for further development.