Vacuum as a continuum medium forming energy inhomogeneities with a high energy density in the liquid phase

A method for the formation of metal nanoparticles in a localized volume with a high energy density due to the flow of a pulsed electric discharge and the cavitation effect was studied. The mechanism of the formation of energy inhomogeneities providing for the generation of nanoparticles with a high specific energy intensity was considered. Dynamic heterogeneity forms in three stages. There is a breakdown of the inter-electrode gap and the formation of a vacuum volume filled with a vapor-gas medium. When the pressure inside the bubble increases, a pulsed gas discharge is ignited, thus generating metal nanoparticles. This leads to the formation of a localized volume in which the discharge energy reaches values of up to 10⁶ K. The increase in energy in the bubble leads to its collapse, after which the metal nanoparticles pass from the high-energy (10⁶) medium into water at room temperature, resulting in their hardening. Highly pure nanoparticles of various metals 5–15 nm in size are obtained; these can be grown on a single-crystal silicon surface at room temperature and positioned on the surface of porous materials and products of complex configuration.