ABSTRACT
Nanoparticle (NP) synthesis, i.e. the production of particles from 1 to 100 nm in characteristic size, is a critical component of nanotechnology. Vapour-phase NP synthesis has several advantages, including high-throughput continuous operation, scalability, and product purity, which have given it a dominant role in the commercial production of nanomaterials. Among the vapour-phase nanosynthesis methods, laser pyrolysis method has unique advantages of extremely high heating and cooling rates and flexible control of the composition of the gas phase in which the particles form. These features provide flexibility in tuning particle size and composition. In this chapter, we explain the fundamentals, typical experimental set-up, and procedures for using laser pyrolysis to synthesize NPs. Then, we briefly catalog some nanomaterials synthesized by this method, which are classified as elemental, compound non-oxide, and compound oxide. Finally, we suggest some remaining challenges to the broader application of laser pyrolysis and NP synthesis by this approach. The need to overcome these challenges motivates further research in the field.
