Continuous collection and sorting apparatus for nanoparticulate materials and continuous collection and sorting methods

Abstract

The application provides a continuous collecting and sorting device and method for nanoparticle materials. The continuous collecting and sorting device comprises an outer collecting container, which comprises an outer container body and a container top cover. The container top cover is detachably mounted to the outer container body to close a top opening of the outer container body. The container top cover is formed with a collecting hole. An inner collecting container can be put into and taken out of the outer collecting container through the top opening of the outer container body. The inner collecting container has an inner container body and an upper opening. An opening size of the upper opening is smaller than a cross-sectional size of the outer container body at the same height position. The upper opening is separately and oppositely arranged with the collecting hole in a height direction of the continuous collecting and sorting device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of nanoparticle material preparation, and specifically relates to a continuous collection and sorting device and method for nanoparticle materials. Background Technology

[0002] Nanoparticles typically refer to material particles with diameters between 1 and 100 nanometers. Currently, the main techniques for preparing nanoparticle materials include ball milling, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and plasma methods. Nanoparticles prepared by these methods require collection devices. Reference 1 describes a collection device comprising a collection vessel and a vacuum pump coupled to the end of an experimental reaction apparatus for efficient collection of nanoparticle materials. However, this collection device cannot perform preliminary screening based on the particle size of the nanoparticles; subsequent separation using dispersant solutions, ultrasonication, and centrifugation is necessary. However, this subsequent separation process may introduce impurities, leading to a reduction in the performance and value of the nanoparticle materials. References 2, 3, and 4 also employ collection devices based on the same principle to collect nanoparticle materials.

[0003] Reference 5 describes a collection device for preparing nanoparticle materials based on a deposition method. This device adds a rotating metal substrate to the original collection tank, allowing the nanoparticles to be deposited on the substrate. The advantage of this method is the high purity of the collected nanoparticles, but the disadvantages are a limited range of collected nanoparticles, low collection volume and efficiency, and the inability to perform preliminary screening of the particle size, potentially introducing impurities during subsequent sorting. Furthermore, the rotating metal substrate is prone to failure during practical use, and the maintenance cycle is long.

[0004] Existing technical documents:

[0005] Document 1: Li YL, Ishigaki T. Controlled one-step synthesis of nanocrystalline anatase and rutile TiO2 powders by in-flight thermal plasma oxidation[J]. The Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 2004, 108(40): 15536-15542.

[0006] Document 2: Sanders PG, Fougere GE, Thompson LJ, et al. Improvements in thesynthesis and compaction of nanocrystalline materials[J]. NanostructuredMaterials, 1997, 8(3):243-252.

[0007] Document 3: Woodard MP, Duncan M A.Laser synthesis and spectroscopy ofmolybdenum oxide nanorods[J].The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 2019,123(14):9560-9566.

[0008] Reference 4: Němec T, J,Gruber J,et al.Platinum and platinum oxidenanoparticles generated by unipolar spark discharge[J].Journal of AerosolScience,2020,141:105502.

[0009] Document 5: Mattei JG, Grammatikopoulos P, Zhao J, et al.Gas-phase synthesis of trimetallic nanoparticles[J]. Chemistry of Materials, 2019, 31(6):2151-2163. Summary of the Invention

[0010] To overcome or mitigate the shortcomings of the existing technology, one objective of this application is to provide a continuous collection and sorting device for nanoparticle materials, which can efficiently and continuously collect nanoparticle materials and screen them according to their particle size, thereby achieving the separation and collection of nanoparticle materials with different particle sizes and improving the physical properties of the prepared nanoparticle materials. Another objective of this application is to provide a continuous collection and sorting method for nanoparticle materials.

[0011] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present application may adopt the following technical solutions.

[0012] Embodiments of this application provide a continuous collection and sorting device for nanoparticle materials, comprising:

[0013] An external collection container includes an outer container body and a container top cover, the container top cover being detachably mounted to the outer container body for closing the top opening of the outer container body, and the container top cover having a collection hole;

[0014] The inner collection container is capable of being placed into the outer collection container through the top opening of the outer container body, and of being removed from the outer collection container.

[0015] The inner collection container has an inner container body and an upper opening. The opening size of the upper opening is smaller than the cross-sectional size of the outer container body at the same height position. The upper opening is separated from and opposite to the collection hole in the height direction of the continuous collection and sorting device.

[0016] In at least one embodiment, the outer collection container is equipped with an air extraction port for reducing the air pressure within the continuous collection and sorting device.

[0017] In at least one embodiment, the vent is formed on the side wall of the outer container body, and the highest position of the vent is lower than the height of the upper opening.

[0018] In at least one embodiment, the air pressure inside the continuous collection and sorting device is in the range of 0.1 standard atmospheres to 1 standard atmosphere.

[0019] In at least one embodiment, the outer container body is cylindrical, and the inner container body is frustoconical.

[0020] In at least one embodiment, the inner collection container includes an inner collection tube connected to the upper end of the inner container body, the upper opening of the inner collection tube forming the upper opening.

[0021] In at least one embodiment, the distance between the upper opening and the collection hole is not less than the diameter of the upper opening.

[0022] In at least one embodiment, the distance between the upper opening and the collection hole is 1.2 to 2 times the diameter of the upper opening.

[0023] In at least one embodiment, the upper opening is circular and located at the center of the container top cover, the collection hole is circular, the center of the upper opening and the center of the collection hole are on the same vertical line, and the diameter of the upper opening is larger than the diameter of the collection hole.

[0024] The embodiments of this application also provide a method for continuous collection and sorting of nanoparticle materials, which uses the continuous collection and sorting device for nanoparticle materials of this application, comprising:

[0025] The collection hole formed on the top cover of the container is connected to the nanoparticle material outlet of the nanomaterial preparation device. A negative pressure is formed in the continuous collection and sorting device. Larger particles enter the continuous collection and sorting device through the collection hole and fall vertically into the inner collection container through the upper opening. Smaller particles are suspended in the continuous collection and sorting device and fall to the bottom of the outer collection container after random thermal motion.

[0026] By adopting the above technical solution, this application provides a continuous collection and sorting device and method for nanoparticle materials. This device can comprehensively collect the nanoparticle materials generated during the preparation reaction, ensuring the integrity of the collection. Simultaneously, while ensuring the purity of the nanoparticle materials, it achieves one-step screening of nanoparticle size, avoiding impurities that may be introduced during subsequent separation processes, thereby maximizing the protection of the excellent properties of the nanoparticles. Furthermore, the device has a simple structure, is easy to assemble, and has a high degree of modularity. Since there are no rotating mechanical parts, the failure rate is low and the service life is long. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a continuous collection and sorting device for nanoparticle materials according to one embodiment of this application.

[0028] Figure 2A This is a photograph of the material collected in the inner collection container when collecting nanoparticle materials using a nanoparticle material continuous collection and sorting device according to one embodiment of this application.

[0029] Figure 2B This is a photograph of the material collected by the outer collection container when collecting nanoparticle materials using a nanoparticle material continuous collection and sorting device according to one embodiment of this application.

[0030] Figure 3A This is a SEM (scanning electron microscope) image of the material collected in the inner collection container when collecting nanoparticle materials using the nanoparticle material continuous collection and sorting device according to one embodiment of this application.

[0031] Figure 3B This is an SEM image of the material collected by the external collection container when collecting nanoparticle materials using the nanoparticle material continuous collection and sorting device according to one embodiment of this application.

[0032] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0033] 10 External collection containers

[0034] 11. Outer container body

[0035] 12 Container top cover

[0036] 13 Bottom of the inner cavity

[0037] 20 Internal collection container

[0038] 21. Main body of the inner container

[0039] 22 Open at the top

[0040] 23 Inner collection tube

[0041] 24 Bottom

[0042] 111 Exhaust port

[0043] 121 Collection Hole Detailed Implementation

[0044] Exemplary embodiments of this application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these specific descriptions are for teaching those skilled in the art how to implement this application only, and are not intended to exhaust all possible methods of this application, nor to limit the scope of this application.

[0045] The present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0046] like Figure 1 As shown, one embodiment of this application provides a continuous collection and sorting device for nanoparticle materials, which includes an outer collection container 10 and an inner collection container 20. The inner collection container 20 can be placed into the outer collection container 10 through a top opening of the outer container body 11, and the inner collection container 20 can be removed from the outer collection container 10. It can be understood that the inner collection container 20 is detachably nested inside the outer collection container 10, and the bottom of the inner collection container 20 rests on the bottom 13 of the inner cavity of the outer collection container 10.

[0047] In this embodiment, such as Figure 1 As shown, the outer collection container 10 includes an outer container body 11 and a container top cover 12. Specifically, the container top cover 12 is detachably installed on the outer container body 11 to close the top opening of the outer container body 11. The container top cover 12 is also provided with a collection hole 121, the shape of which is not limited and can be adjusted according to the actual situation, for example, it can be circular, square, etc.

[0048] Preferably, in this embodiment, the collection hole 121 is circular in shape and located at the center of the container top cover 12.

[0049] In this embodiment, such as Figure 1As shown, the inner collection container 20 includes an inner container body 21 and an upper opening 22. Furthermore, the inner collection container 20 may also include an inner collection tube 23 connected to the upper end of the inner container body 21, with the upper opening of the inner collection tube 23 forming the upper opening 22. In the height direction of the continuous collection and sorting device, the upper opening 22 is separate from and opposite to the collection hole 121. Specifically, the center of the upper opening 22 and the center of the collection hole 121 are on the same vertical line to ensure the accuracy of collecting nanoparticle materials.

[0050] Furthermore, the shapes of the outer container body 11 and the inner container body 21 are not limited; in this embodiment, for example... Figure 1 As shown, the outer container body 11 can be cylindrical, and the inner container body 21 can be frustoconical. The smaller diameter end of the frustoconical body is connected to the inner collecting tube 23, while the larger diameter end forms the bottom 24 of the inner container body 21, which rests on the bottom 13 of the inner cavity of the outer collecting container 10. Here, the diameter of the bottom 24 of the inner container body 21 can be smaller than the diameter of the bottom 13 of the inner cavity of the outer collecting container 10. This facilitates nesting the inner collecting container 20 inside the outer collecting container 10, making it easier to collect nanoparticle materials within the outer collecting container 10.

[0051] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the upper opening 22 can be circular in shape and located at the center of the container top cover 12.

[0052] In this embodiment, the opening size of the upper opening 22 is smaller than the cross-sectional size of the outer container body 11 at the same height. This facilitates the nesting of the inner collecting container 20 inside the outer collecting container 10, allowing nanoparticles of different sizes to be effectively separated. The diameter of the upper opening 22 can be larger than the diameter of the collecting hole 121, which helps to improve the collection efficiency of nanoparticles.

[0053] Furthermore, the size of the upper opening 22 of the inner collection container 20 affects the particle size of the sorted nanoparticles. Specifically, the larger the diameter of the upper opening 22, the smaller the particle size of the nanoparticles falling into the outer collection container 10, while the larger the particle size range of the nanoparticles falling into the inner collection container 20. Therefore, the diameter of the upper opening 22 can be adjusted according to the actual collection and sorting situation.

[0054] Preferably, in this embodiment, the diameter of the upper opening 22 can be 1.5 times the diameter of the collection hole 121.

[0055] In this embodiment, such as Figure 1As shown, there is a certain distance between the upper opening 22 and the collection hole 121. When the inner collection container 20 is placed inside the outer collection container 10, the height of the inner collection container 20 is lower than the height of the outer collection container 10. This is beneficial for placing the outlet for preparing nanoparticle materials between the container top cover 12 and the upper opening 22 during collection, thereby facilitating the entry of nanoparticle materials of different particle sizes into different collection containers.

[0056] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the distance between the upper opening 22 and the collection hole 121 is not less than the diameter of the upper opening 22.

[0057] Furthermore, in order to ensure collection efficiency, the distance between the upper opening 22 and the collection hole 121 can be 1.2 to 2 times the diameter of the upper opening 22.

[0058] In this embodiment, such as Figure 1 As shown, the outer collection container 10 may be provided with an air extraction port 111, which is connected to an external air pump to reduce the air pressure inside the continuous collection and sorting device, thereby creating a negative pressure environment inside the device. Specifically, the air extraction port 111 may be provided on the side wall below the outer container body 11.

[0059] Furthermore, in order to ensure that the evacuation process does not interfere with the normal falling of nanoparticles, in this embodiment, the highest position of the evacuation hole 111 is lower than the height of the upper opening 22 of the inner collection container 20. This ensures that the collection and sorting efficiency of nanoparticle materials is not affected while evacuating.

[0060] In this embodiment, the air extraction hole 111 can create a negative pressure inside the continuous collection and sorting device, thereby reducing gas resistance and allowing large-diameter nanoparticles to fall vertically into the inner collection container 20 more quickly, thus achieving a better collection effect.

[0061] It is understandable that the negative pressure environment created in the continuous collection and sorting device is mainly to accelerate the collection of nanoparticle materials. The air pressure inside the device is mainly determined by the power and drive of the air pump.

[0062] Preferably, the air pressure inside the continuous collection and sorting device can be set in the range of 0.1 standard atmospheres to 1 standard atmosphere.

[0063] This application also provides a continuous collection and sorting method using a continuous collection and sorting device for nanoparticle materials, which may include the following steps.

[0064] The collection hole 121 formed on the top cover 12 of the container is connected to the nanoparticle material outlet of the nanomaterial preparation device, and a negative pressure is formed in the continuous collection and sorting device. Larger particles enter the continuous collection and sorting device through the collection hole 121 and fall vertically into the inner collection container 20 through the upper opening 22. Smaller particles are suspended in the continuous collection and sorting device and fall to the bottom of the outer collection container 10 after random thermal motion.

[0065] In this embodiment, the outlet for preparing the nanoparticle material passes through the collection hole 121 on the top cover 12 of the container, positioning it between the top cover 12 and the upper opening 22 of the inner collection container 20. Under gravity, the nanoparticle material falls into the continuous collection and sorting device. Larger-diameter nanoparticles fall vertically into the inner collection container 20 through the upper opening 22, while smaller-diameter particles, due to their lower mass-to-volume ratio (lower density), remain suspended in the outer collection container 10 and, after random thermal motion, fall into the internal cavity formed by the outer and inner collection containers 10 and 20. Therefore, the outer and inner collection containers 10 can collect nanoparticles of different sizes respectively.

[0066] In this embodiment, the inner collection container 20 can be used to collect nanoparticles with larger particle sizes, while the outer collection container 10 can be used to collect nanoparticles with smaller particle sizes.

[0067] Furthermore, larger nanoparticle materials include particles with a diameter greater than 150 nm, while smaller nanoparticle materials include particles with a diameter less than or equal to 150 nm.

[0068] In this embodiment, taking advantage of the different densities and motion characteristics of nanoparticles with different particle sizes, the outer collector 10 and the inner collector 20 can collect as many nanoparticles as possible generated during the preparation reaction, ensuring the integrity of the collection. Simultaneously, sorting the nanoparticles allows for initial screening and separation during the initial collection phase, resulting in a smaller average particle size of the collected nanoparticles after the reaction and improving the physical properties of the prepared nanoparticles.

[0069] Furthermore, the larger-sized nanoparticles include unreacted raw materials and precursors. These large-sized nanoparticles are collected through an internal collection container 20, allowing the unreacted raw materials and precursors to be recycled and reused as raw materials for the next preparation of nanoparticle materials. Related test results show that the average physical properties of the nanoparticles prepared using the recycled raw materials are superior to those of the initially prepared nanoparticles. Simultaneously, the recycling of unreacted raw materials and precursors conserves material resources, improves raw material utilization, further reduces the cost of nanoparticle preparation, and promotes the large-scale industrial application of nanoparticles.

[0070] This application also provides the morphology and characterization results of the collected nanoparticle materials. Specifically, these nanoparticle materials were prepared by a plasma method.

[0071] Figure 2A The image shows photographs of the material collected in the inner collection container 20. Figure 2B A photograph of the material collected by the external collection container 10 is shown.

[0072] like Figure 2A and Figure 2B As shown, the sample size collected and sorted by the inner collection container 20 is significantly larger than the sample size collected and sorted by the outer collection container 10.

[0073] The samples collected and sorted by the outer collection container 10 and the inner collection container 20 were further observed under SEM (scanning electron microscope) to examine their microstructure, such as... Figure 3A and Figure 3B As shown. Among them, Figure 3A SEM images of the material collected by the internal collection container 20. Figure 3B SEM image of the material collected by external collection container 10.

[0074] It can be observed that the samples collected and sorted by the inner collection container 20 are larger in size, while those collected and sorted by the outer collection container 10 are smaller in size. Therefore, it can be concluded that the continuous collection and sorting device and method provided in this application can effectively sort nanoparticle materials. Furthermore, the samples collected and sorted by the inner collection container 20, including unreacted residual raw materials and precursors, can be recovered and used for further preparation, realizing the recycling and reuse of raw material resources.

[0075] By adopting the above scheme, the continuous collection and sorting device for nanoparticle materials provided in this application utilizes the fact that nanoparticles of different sizes have different densities and different motion characteristics to sort the nanoparticles. This ensures pure collection while achieving one-step screening and separation, avoiding impurities that may be introduced during subsequent processing, thereby maximizing the protection of the excellent properties of the nanoparticle materials. Furthermore, the screening and separation process reduces the average particle size of the collected nanoparticles, thereby improving the physical properties of the prepared nanoparticle materials.

[0076] Furthermore, the continuous collection and sorting device for nanoparticle materials provided in this application has a simple structure, is easy to assemble, and has a high degree of modularity. Since there is no rotating mechanical structure, it avoids the problems of malfunction and short lifespan caused by rotating mechanical components in existing collection devices.

Claims

1. A continuous collection and sorting device for nanoparticle materials, characterized in that, include: An outer collection container (10) includes an outer container body (11) and a container top cover (12), the container top cover (12) being detachably mounted to the outer container body (11) for closing the top opening of the outer container body (11), and the container top cover (12) having a collection hole (121). The inner collection container (20) is capable of placing the inner collection container (20) into the outer collection container (10) through the top opening of the outer container body (11), and removing the inner collection container (20) from the outer collection container (10); The inner collection container (20) has an inner container body (21) and an upper opening (22). The opening size of the upper opening (22) is smaller than the cross-sectional size of the outer container body (11) at the same height. The upper opening (22) is separated from and opposite to the collection hole (121) in the height direction of the continuous collection and sorting device. The outer collection container (10) is equipped with an air extraction port (111) for reducing the air pressure inside the continuous collection and sorting device. The outer container body (11) is cylindrical, and the inner container body (21) is frustoconical. The larger diameter end of the frustoconical inner container body (21) is the bottom (24) of the inner container body (21), which is placed at the bottom (13) of the inner cavity of the outer collection container (10).

2. The continuous collection and sorting device for nanoparticle materials according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air extraction hole (111) is formed on the side wall of the outer container body (11), and the highest position of the air extraction hole (111) is lower than the height of the upper opening (22).

3. The continuous collection and sorting device for nanoparticle materials according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air pressure inside the continuous collection and sorting device is in the range of 0.1 standard atmospheres to 1 standard atmosphere.

4. The continuous collection and sorting device for nanoparticle materials according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner collection container (20) includes an inner collection tube (23) connected to the upper end of the inner container body (21), and the upper opening of the inner collection tube (23) forms the upper opening (22).

5. The continuous collection and sorting device for nanoparticle materials according to claim 1, characterized in that, The distance between the upper opening (22) and the collection hole (121) is not less than the diameter of the upper opening (22).

6. The continuous collection and sorting device for nanoparticle materials according to claim 5, characterized in that, The distance between the upper opening (22) and the collection hole (121) is 1.2 to 2 times the diameter of the upper opening (22).

7. The continuous collection and sorting device for nanoparticle materials according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper opening (22) is circular and located at the center of the container top cover (12). The collection hole (121) is circular. The center of the upper opening (22) and the center of the collection hole (121) are on the same vertical line. The diameter of the upper opening (22) is larger than the diameter of the collection hole (121).

8. A method for continuous collection and sorting of nanoparticle materials, characterized in that, It uses the continuous collection and sorting device for nanoparticle materials according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the continuous collection and sorting method includes: The collection hole (121) formed on the top cover (12) of the container is connected to the nanoparticle material outlet of the nanomaterial preparation device. A negative pressure is formed in the continuous collection and sorting device. Larger particles enter the continuous collection and sorting device through the collection hole (121) and fall vertically into the inner collection container (20) through the upper opening (22). Smaller particles are suspended in the continuous collection and sorting device and fall to the bottom of the outer collection container (10) after random thermal motion outside the inner collection container (20).

Images