Thermodynamic, hydrodynamic, particle dynamic, and experimental analyses of silica nanoparticles synthesis in diffusion flame

Using silicon tetrachloride as a precursor, the silica nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized in the diffusion flame of air and liquid petrol gas (LPG). Different effects on flame shape and temperature, silicon tetrachloride conversion, major gas‐phase compositions, and diameter of silica NPs were obtained via thermodynamic, hydrodynamic, or particle‐dynamic approaches. The size of silica NPs decreased with the increasing air‐flow rate, increased with the increasing LPG flow rate, and increased obviously with the increasing evaporator temperature. The size of the synthesized silica NPs is about 25–30 nm at an optimal condition.