Effect of Ultraviolet Rays on Production of Nanoparticles and their Strength Evaluation

The generation of a carbon nanoparticle was investigated in an electric arc discharge using a carbon electrode containing silicon and oxygen while being irradiated with ultraviolet rays. It was found that a small number of nanoparticles were generated with the arc, but a dramatic increase in numbers was observed with ultraviolet radiation. The compression strength of the nanoparticles was measured to determine the possibility of their use as a reinforcing material in composite materials. The compression strength of a large particle that was an amorphous compound not having a crystal structure was not very high. On the other hand, a small nanoparticle having a crystal structure did not collapse, even for an applied compression stress of 50000 N. Thus, these nanoparticles are promising as a reinforcing material in particulate composite materials.