MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES OF METAL OXIDES THROUGH THE SOLAR PHYSICAL VAPOR DEPOSITION PROCESS.

The paper brings to the attention of researchers the morphological changes of metal oxides, which appear as a result of the process of physical solar vapor deposition (SPVD) based on experiments carried out at the CNRS-PROMES laboratory, UPR 8521, belonging to the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS). The SPVD process is an innovative tool who has been developed in 2 kW solar furnaces at Odeillo-Font Romeu, France, to synthesis pure and doped nanoparticles, such as: ZnO, CeO₂, ZrO₂, BiO₂, SiO. A variety of metal oxides nanoparticles have been obtained by focusing solar energy on pellets of commercial powders through the controlled process of vaporization followed by condensation directed on a cooper tube or on nanoporous filter. After the micrograph analysis the change of shape and dimension can be observed depending on the type of oxide and the process parameters. It is noticed the appearance of new morphologies, not found in other synthesis methods. The paper brings new information about morphological and dimensional changes after synthesis by physical process which can be essential for researchers, in the choice of methods for the elaboration of nanomaterials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]