Formation and Confinement of Nanoparticles in a DC Glow Discharge

In this research, the formation and retention of nanoparticles in a DC glow discharge with vertically located electrodes were experimentally studied. It is shown that nanoparticles form and grow in the negative glow of the discharge, where there is a potential well in the axial distribution of the electric field. A cloud of negatively charged nanoparticles usually has the shape of a petal, the size and thickness of which depend on the gas pressure and the discharge current. Using a transmission electron microscope, images were taken of nanoparticles deposited on the bottom and top of the discharge tube under various conditions.