Abstract View
Design and Characterization of an Ag Generator
MARTIN IRWIN, Jacob Swanson, Adam M Boies, Catalytic Instruments
Abstract Number: 97
Working Group: Instrumentation and Methods
Abstract
There currently exists few commercial options for the generation of aerosol particles in the 5-50 nm size range, limited mainly to spark generators, tube furnaces, electrospray generation, inverted burners, and diffusion flames. There is a requirement for a simple to use, solid particle generator capable of producing sufficiently high concentrations of small aerosol particles to calibrate particle counters, and general aerosol equipment. Many people have reported the production of metallic nanoparticles (including Ag) from inert-gas condensation using a tube furnace. The primary disadvantage of using an entire tube furnace is the size and cost of tube furnace that is required to produce the nanoparticles. A tube furnace also does not result in reproducible nanoparticle production as slight changes in the location of the Ag material placed within the furnace can result in large difference in both the concentration and size of particles produced. Silver particles are known to behave as a proxy for soot particles, but with a single elemental composition, offer reduced uncertainties to other generation techniques. Here we present the characterization of a new Ag-Generator, capable of producing sufficiently high concentrations of singly charged aerosol, ideal for e.g. the calibration of multiple CPCs in parallel, as well as a variety aerosol emissions equipment.
This novel Ag-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 enhanced. Nanoparticle production on successive uses (heating up and cooling down between uses) is better controlled. The specific design allows for a more compact device design that allows for lower energy consumption and an ability to use with low voltage.