The VSP-G1 Nanoparticle Generator is a desktop instrument used to generate pure metal, metal oxide, or alloy nanoaerosol materials with sizes ranging from 1 to 20 nm. Nanoparticle production is entirely in the gas phase, eliminating the need for surfactants or precursors. The source material for nanoparticle production consists of two target rods (electrodes) made of the desired material. Simply install the electrodes, set parameters, and press a button to start generating nanoparticles. All VSPARTICLE products are modular, so the VSP-G1 Nanoparticle Generator can be used as a standalone nanoaerosol source or combined with different deposition modules.
Obtaining nanomaterials with different compositions is key to nanoscience research. Using the VSP-G1 with different electrodes can produce particles such as bimetallic, nanoalloy, or materials that are immiscible in bulk. Spark ablation can generate instantaneous temperatures up to 20,000 K in the discharge channel, sufficient to overcome the macroscopic immiscibility of bulk materials, enabling more material possibilities. Mixing two pure electrodes or using alloy electrodes allows composition control to adjust material components. Similarly, by running two VSP-G1 units in parallel or series, each with different electrode materials, materials with layered structures (e.g., layered structures, core-shell, or heterostructures) can be produced.
The most valuable aspect of the VSP-G1 is its ability to adjust the average particle size of the produced nanoparticles. This is achieved by changing the gas flow rate, which affects the residence time of nanoparticles in the reactor. Lower flow rates allow more time for primary particles to coalesce, resulting in larger average particle sizes, while faster flow rates produce smaller particles. Depending on the type of sample being prepared (e.g., TEM grids or porous coatings), the total power can also be adjusted to change the yield. Higher voltage/current combinations lead to higher ablation rates and larger particles. The key feature of aerosol technology, compared to other vacuum gas-phase techniques, is the effective use of gas at atmospheric pressure to influence the growth and transport of nanoparticles.
With a modular design, the VSP-G1 Nanoparticle Generator can be easily combined with deposition devices to prepare advanced nanomaterials. Different deposition modules are available based on diffusion, filtration, or impaction techniques.
