The Control of Particle Size Distribution for Fabricated Alumina Nanoparticles Using a Thermophoretic Separator

The control of particle size distribution of fabricated alumina nanoparticles from general alumina that has a large geometric standard deviation (GSD) is studied. A thermophoretic separator was used to control the GSD of the fabricated alumina nanoparticles. Unevaporated particles and primary particles were separated to yield a small GSD for fabricated alumina nanoparticles. The fabricated alumina nanoparticles were characterized by using a field emission scanning electron microscope and scanning mobility particle sizer. The GSD of the fabricated alumina nanoparticles was confirmed to be controlled by the thermophoretic separator. The temperature difference applied to the thermophoretic separator for the control of GSD of the fabricated alumina nanoparticles was between 79 K and 151 K. The GSD of the fabricated alumina nanoparticles was improved from 1.74 to 1.44.