Experimental and theoretical study of the jet formed by means of sputtering of electrodes in an arc discharge

The parameters of the plasma generated by an arc discharge in gaseous helium at pressures of 3, 25, and 50 torr are studied experimentally and theoretically. The properties and orphology of synthesized soot are investigated by methods of the X-ray diffraction analysis, thermogravimetry, and transmission electron microscopy. A theoretical model is used to predict the radial distribution of the gas temperature, which is consistent with the results of thermocouple measurements. It is demonstrated that a change in the pressure in the arc discharge alters the residence time of carbon vapor in various temperature regions. This fact ensures different conditions of formation of carbon nanostructures and allows obtaining soot with essentially different structural and physical properties.