Induction thermal plasma synthesis of Mg2Ni nanoparticles

A study was carried out into possibility of thermal plasma synthesis of Mg2Ni nanoparticles. Both prealloyed powders and elemental powders were used as precursors in an inductively coupled thermal plasma incorporating two injection probes located axially in the reactor one from the top and the other from the bottom. The study has shown that the use of prealloyed Mg2Ni as precursor leads to its disintegration in the plasma condensing into separate phases and therefore was not suitable for the synthesis of Mg2Ni. The study further showed that Mg2Ni can be synthesized quite successfully with the use of elemental powders provided that elements are maintained into the plasma at carefully controlled positions. While the fraction of Mg2Ni was quite substantial, it co-existed with other phases and therefore additional treatments would be necessary for separation. It was shown that a substantial size reduction was possible with thermal plasma where Mg2Ni could be produced in sizes around 100 nm.