361c Nanostructured Coatings by Combined Flame Spray Synthesis of Nanoparticles and Cluster Beam Deposition

Simone Vinati1, Alessandro Antonini1, Paolo Piseri1, Paolo Milani1, Luca Belforte2, Nello Li Pira2, and Karsten Wegner3. (1) Tethis S.r.l., Via Russoli, 3, I-20143 Milan, Italy, (2) Advanced Manufacturing & Materials, Centro Ricerche Fiat, Strada Torino, 50, I-10043 Orbassano, Italy, (3) Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Sonneggstrasse 3, CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland

A novel one-step deposition method for nanostructured coatings combining gas-phase flame synthesis of nanoparticles and supersonic cluster beam deposition is presented. Metal-oxide and noble metal nanoparticles are first produced by high temperature flame spray pyrolysis. The combustion aerosol is then expanded through a critical flow nozzle into the first vacuum chamber of the deposition unit. Thereby, the aerosol is rapidly quenched freezing nanoparticle growth. A series of aerodynamic lenses in the vacuum deposition apparatus filters out large particles and focuses the remaining aerosol into a beam. The particle beam is then directed at a substrate generating porous nanoparticulate films, for application in catalysis, gas sensing, or biotechnology.