Single-Crystal MgO Hollow Nanospheres Formed in RF Impulse Discharge Plasmas

Abstract EN

Spherical MgO nanoparticles with a hollow inside, that is, MgO hollow nanospheres, were created in Ar/O2 plasma produced by radio frequency (RF) impulse discharge using a Mg rod electrode.

The hollow nanospheres were found on the SiO2 plates placed near the powered Mg electrode.

The electron refraction pattern showed that each nanosphere was made of a single crystal of MgO.

Since the shape was spherical, these nanoparticles seemed to be created during the levitation in the plasma without touching any walls.

The formation mechanism with a quasiliquid cooling model was also discussed.