Abstract

In the present work, bismuth nanopowders with various particle size distributions were synthesized by controlling argon (Ar) gas flow rate and chamber pressure of a gas condensation (GC) apparatus. From the analyses of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images and nitrogen gas adsorption results, it was found that as Ar gas flow rate increased, the specific surface area of bismuth increased and the average particles size decreased. On the other hand, as the chamber pressure increased, the specific surface area of bismuth decreased and the average particles size increased. The optimum gas flow rate and chamber pressure for the maximized electrochemical active surface area were determined to be 8 L/min and 50 torr, respectively. The bismuth nanopowders synthesized at the above condition exhibit 13.47 m2g-1 of specific surface area and 45.6 nm of average particles diameter.

• Keywords: Bismuth nanopowder;Gas flow rate;Chamber pressure;Gas condensation method;