Flame synthesis of nanoparticles - Applications in catalysis and product/process engineering

High-temperature flame processes for the production of nanoparticles can be applied in chemical product and process engineering. As an example one can produce well-defined spinel structures, e.g. zinc aluminate spinel (ZnAl2O4) and magnesium aluminate spinel (MgAl2O4) with high specific surface area because the desired phase is formed directly without any need for post calcinations, as would be needed for, e.g., co-precipitated hydroxides. The production and characterization of other materials such as supported noble metals like Pt/TiO2 and Au/TiO2 will be outlined along with the optional tuning of product properties by changing the flame operating conditions. For the typical industrial flame synthesis unit, the product particles are collected on filters. However, the hot product gas containing the particles can be applied directly in other product engineering concepts. Several cases of using an intermediate product of flame-made airborne nanoparticles are presented.