Continuous hydrothermal synthesis of inorganic nanopowders in supercritical water: Towards a better control of the process

Anne Aimable (1, 2, 3) , H. Muhr (2) , C. Gentric (2) , F. Bernard (1) , F. Le Cras (3, 4) , D. Aymes (1)

1 ICB - Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire Carnot de Bourgogne
2 LSGC - Laboratoire des Sciences du Génie Chimique
3 CEA-LETI - Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives - Laboratoire d'Electronique et de Technologie de l'Information
4 LCE - Laboratoire Composant pour l'Energie

A hydrothermal synthesis process working in supercritical conditions (T > 374 °C, P > 22 MPa) and in a continuous mode has been developed for inorganic nanopowder synthesis. This paper presents a review of the past 5 years of research conducted on this process. Numerous materials (oxides: ZrO2, TiO2, Fe2O3..., ferrites: Fe2CoO4..., or BaZrO3) were obtained with specific features. Some technical issues have been solved, that are presented here. Heat transfer was studied, leading to a more efficient design of the reactor. Future developments have been examined through process engineering, in which our group is engaged, especially through CFD modelling.

Mots clés: Supercritical water; Continuous synthesis process; Nanoparticles; Heat transfer; CFD

Domaines: Génie des procédés; Matériaux

Anne Aimable, H. Muhr, C. Gentric, F. Bernard, F. Le Cras, et al.. Continuous hydrothermal synthesis of inorganic nanopowders in supercritical water: Towards a better control of the process. Powder Technology, 2009, 190 (1-2), pp.99-106. ⟨10.1016/j.powtec.2008.04.064⟩. ⟨hal-00508330⟩