Understanding the Mechanism of Nanoparticle Formation in a Wire Explosion Process by Adopting the Optical Emission Technique

In the present study nano-tungsten carbide particles were generated in a wire explo- sion process. The plasma generated during the wire explosion process was analyzed using optical emission spectroscopy (OES). The impact of ambient pressure on the plasma temperature, elec- tron density and plasma lifetime was studied. Lifetime variations of the plasma produced under different experimental conditions were analyzed. The produced nanoparticles were characterized through wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) stud- ies. Particles produced with a negative DC charging voltage had a larger mean size when compared to a positive charging voltage. Polarity dependence on the plasma duration was observed where plasma was sustained for a longer duration with a negative DC charging voltage.