PRODUCTION OF NANOPARTICLES

摘要

Composite nanoparticles can be produced by a processing apparatus comprising a source of charged, moving nanoparticles (10) or a first material and a first size, apparatus for imposing a like potential in a region (42) lying in the path of the nanoparticles, and a physical vapour deposition (PVD) source (40) of a second material directed toward the region, thereby to produce nanoparticles of a second and greater size being a composite of the first and second materials. The apparatus for imposing a like potential can comprise one or more conductive rings (28) surrounding the path of the nanoparticles, each at a successively lower potential. The physical vapour deposition source can be one or more of a sputter target, or an evaporative source, or another PVD source. There can be a plurality of physical vapour deposition sources, thereby allowing a larger region in which the shell is deposited. All of the physical vapour deposition sources can deposit the same material, for a uniform shell. Alternatively, different sources could allow for multiple shells or alloy shells.