Gas-phase particle size distributions and lead loss during spray pyrolysis of (Bi, Pb)-Sr-Ca-Cu-O

Gas-phase particle size distributions and lead loss were measured during formation of (Bi,Pb)-Sr-Ca-Cu-O and pure PbO particles by spray pyrolysis at different temperatures. A differential mobility analyzer (DMA) in conjunction with a condensation particle counter (CPC) was used to monitor the gas-phase particle size distributions, and a Berner-type low-pressure impactor was used to obtain mass size distributions and size-classified samples for chemical analysis. For (Bi,Pb)-Sr-Ca-Cu-O, as the processing temperature was raised from 200 to 700 °C, the number average particle size decreased due to metal nitrate decomposition, intraparticle reactions forming mixed-metal oxides and particle densification. The geometric number mean particle diameter was 0.12 μm at 200 °C and reduced to 0.08 and 0.07 μm, respectively, at 700 and 900 °C. When the reactor temperature was raised from 700 and 800 °C to 900 °C, a large number (∼107 no./cm3) of new ultrafine particles were formed from PbO vapor released from the particles and the reactor walls. Particles made at temperatures up to 700 °C maintained their initial stoichiometry over the whole range of particle sizes monitorcd; however, those made at 800 °C and above were heavily depleted in lead in the size range 0.5–5.0 μm. The evaporative losses of lead oxide from (Bi,Pb)-Sr-Ca-Cu-O particles were compared with the losses from PbO particles to gain insight into the pathways involved in lead loss and the role of intraparticle processes in controlling it