Thermophoretic fractionalization of small particles

摘要

Described is a method for fractionalizing nanoparticles according to the conductivity of the particle, thus enabling the production of large numbers of particles with uniform conductivity. The method is based on a modified thermophoresis process wherein a temperature gradient is produced in a mixture of particles and the most conductive particles are selectively deposited on a warm surface. In contrast to conventional thermophoresis methods, the temperature gradient that drives the fractionalization process is produced using a light source.