Properties of an amorphous silicon dioxide nanopowder prepared by pulsed electron beam evaporation

An amorphous SiO 2 nanopowder with a specific surface area of 154 m 2 /g has been prepared using pulsed electron beam evaporation of a target from a pyrogenic amorphous Aerosil 90 nanopowder (90 m 2 /g). It has been found that SiO 2 nanoparticles exhibit improved magnetic, thermal, and optical properties as compared to the properties of particles of the Aerosil 90 nanopowder. Possible factors responsible for the appearance of ferromagnetism at room temperature in the amorphous SiO 2 nanopowder formed upon electron beam evaporation have been discussed. The photoluminescence and cathodoluminescence properties of the SiO 2 nanopowder have been investigated.