Synthesis and Processing of Nanomaterials

Nanoparticles and nanoparticle aggregates are produced as colloids and related nanocrystals by sol–gel and wet chemical synthesis as well as a variety of vapor, spray, and plasma processes, including flames. Vapor-phase material can be condensed or deposited on variously heated or cooled substrates, even crystalline substrates where films, islands, and quantum dots can be grown. The role of catalysts in promoting reactions is described. Sputter deposition and other physical vapor deposition (PVD) processes are discussed, including arc evaporation. Chemical vapor deposition (CVD), including reaction product production and collection, is presented. Molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) and atomic layer deposition are described. Collected nanopowders can be statically or dynamically consolidated to form bulk billets. Mechanical alloying and mechanochemical synthesis of nanomaterials are discussed along with electrodeposition, friction-stir processing (FSP), and equal-channel angular processing (ECAP) or extrusion as these apply to severe plastic deformation (SPD) processes to produce nanocrystalline bulk solids.