On the formation of nanocapsules in aerosol-assisted atmospheric-pressure plasma

Aerosol-assisted atmospheric-pressure plasma can lead to the deposition of very appealing core-shell structured nanocapsules. In this work, the aerosol solution composition has been changed in terms of solute nature and concentration in order to better understand the nanocapsule formation and structure. In particular, electron microscopy techniques and microanalysis characterization have been carried out to provide a rationale for such one-step deposition of nanocapsules in plasma. A possible mechanism for the formation of the nanocapsules is suggested, based on the current theories on droplet evaporation in atomization processing, and on the implications of the coupling of aerosol with plasma environment.