Synthesis of free standing iron spheres by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition.
Abstract
Free standing iron spheres ranging in size from approximately 150nm to 1um were synthesized using a unique plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition process. The spheres were synthesized in 5 um channels of micron channel glass. By differentially pumping across the micron channel glass the Fe source compound, ferrocene, was driven down the channel. SEM images suggest that the Fe spheres grow freestanding rather than agglomerated. The structure of the Fe particles appears to be polycrystalline based on select area diffraction using a TEM. Consequently, a model has been developed based on the suspension of particles in plasma fields, aka dusty plasmas. In this model the channels are treated as expansion chambers that allow condensation of the ferrocene. Furthermore, by allowing the channel walls to charge, as well as the Fe particles, an electric field can be set up within the channels that cause the particles to be suspended away from the channel walls, as well as inhibit the particles from agglomerating.
- Publication:
-
APS March Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- March 2001
- Bibcode:
- 2001APS..MARW31009M