American Association for Aerosol Research - Abstract Submission

AAAR 39th Annual Conference
October 18 - October 22, 2021

Virtual Conference

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Characterising the Silver Particle Generator: The New Silver Standard

MARTIN IRWIN, Jacob Swanson, Vincius Berger, Umesh Sonkamble, Adam M Boies, Hans-Joachim Schulz, Catalytic Instruments

     Abstract Number: 305
     Working Group: Instrumentation and Methods

Abstract
There currently exist few commercial options for the generation of solid aerosol particles in the 1-100 nm size range. These options include spark generators, tube furnaces, electrosprays, and gas burners utilizing diffusion flames. Thus, there is a need for additional options for a simple-to-use, particle generator capable of producing sufficiently high concentrations of small, solid aerosol particles. Uses for such a device include the calibration of condensation particle counters, measuring filtration efficiencies, and the calibration and complex measurements made possible with specialist aerosol equipment. Silver particles can be used as a proxy for soot particles but given their single elemental composition this approach may offer reduced uncertainties to other generation techniques.

Tube furnaces can be used to generate silver nanoparticles for calibrated CPCs, but aside from the size, cost, and inconvenience of a tube furnace, it is challenging to generate repeatable concentrations and size distributions from a typical tube furnace.

Here we present the characterisation of a new Silver Particle Generator, capable of producing sufficiently high concentrations of particles in the 1 - 50 nm size range. Data presented includes CPC calibration and repeatability measurements across its operational range. This novel Silver Particle Generator solves several key aspects associated with the production of metallic nanoparticle aerosols. By fixing the location and surface of metal exposed to the supplied gas stream, the stability of the nanoparticles produced is greatly enhanced compared to a typical tube furnace. Further, day-to-day variability is greatly reduced, in both concentration and size domains. Thermal cycling has been optimised, and the device is operational from standby in under 10 minutes. Importantly, our novel and patented design allows for a more compact device that allows for lower energy consumption.