Nebulizer Based Devices for Fine Nanoparticle Coating

Abstract

Spray coating is one of the most affordable methods for creating thin layers of material on the surface of various objects. However, as the desired coating height decreases, the application process needs to be more precisely controlled. In this study, an ultrasonic nebulizer-based spray coating device was developed. This device allows atomization of various nanofluids, including those containing nanoparticles, and enabling variation of their impact velocity. Spray characteristics were measured using Doppler anemometry (PDA) in three axial locations. The atomized nanofluids included water- and ethanol-based solutions with nanodiamonds and TiO2 concentrations of 10 and 1 mg/ml. Measurement data revealed that the device effectively produced a narrow droplet size spectrum (with most droplets below 5 mu m), controlled their velocity (ranging from 20 to 138.1 m center dot s(-1)). Desired droplet deposition regime was achieved with nebulizer-based spray device.