Chemical Vapor Synthesis of Inorganic Nanopowders

Materials in the form of ultrafine or nanosized powders display many useful physical, mechanical and chemical properties. The properties of nano-scaled materials are significantly different from atoms and bulks materials arise mainly from large fraction of surface atoms, high surface energy and reduced imperfections. The effects of grain size on mechanical properties have been recognised and generated much interest. It would therefore be advantageous if compounds can be produced in fine powder form from inexpensive raw materials using less energy. Their small sizes also improve hardness, fracture toughness and low-temperature ductility as well as catalytic and interfacial processes. Nanomaterials also enable lower processing temperatures compared with bulk materials and faster reaction time due to their higher surface reactivity. Thus, the production of nanosized powder is an important industrial process and is explored in this technical and informative book.