| This thesis presents a dual plasma process allowing for the single-step synthesis of surface functionalized metal nanoparticles. The process uses a pulsed cathodic arc discharge to erode a metal target and form nanoparticles. These nanoparticles are then coated in flight through plasma polymerization in a radio-frequency glow discharge. This discharge was sustained in a wide range of organic precursors to affect the resulting surface properties of the nanoparticles. Using ethane as the plasma polymerizing monomer, a super-hydrophobic surface is formed. Alternatively, the use of ethylene glycol to modify the particle results in the formation of a super-hydrophilic surface. This treatment is shown to improve dispersion of the nanoparticles into polar media.;Surface-modified nanoparticles were collected in situ in a liquid flowing inside the dual plasma reactor to form a nanofluid. Suspensions formed via this process are shown to be stable over a wide temperature range, compared to suspensions stabilized using surfactants that can be thermally unstable. Moreover, the hydrophilic nature of the ethylene glycol-based plasma polymer coating (when deposited onto titanium nanoparticles) is demonstrated to reduce the expected thrombogenicity of blood-contacting stainless steel implants, without adversely affecting the implants' corrosion resistance. A detailed investigation into the gas phase reactions that lead to these hydrophilic surface properties is presented, along with an in-depth characterization of the morphology and surface chemistry of the nanoparticles. |
