Inductively coupled nonthermal plasma synthesis of aluminum nanoparticles.

Metallic nanoparticles of aluminum (Al), a nontoxic and earth-abundant element, are relevant to plasmonic and energetic applications. However, monodisperse Al nanoparticles are difficult to synthesize using all gas-phase approaches, especially in the 10 to 20 nm size range; yet, many applications require particles of this size due to their enhanced properties. Here, an inductive nonthermal plasma reactor fed with aluminum trichloride (AlCl) and Ar is used to synthesize single-crystal aluminum nanoparticles.

Nonthermal Plasma-Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition of Two-Dimensional Molybdenum Disulfide.

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS) is being studied for a wide range of applications including lithium-ion batteries and hydrogen evolution reaction catalysts. In this paper, we present a single-step nonthermal plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) process for the production of two-dimensional MoS. This method provides an alternative route to established CVD and plasma synthesis routes.