Nanoparticle concentration as a factor of nebulization quality

Nanoparticle concentration as a factor of nebulization quality

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Nebulization of nanoparticle solutions is widely used in material science, pharmaceuticals, and environmental applications. However, the process can be significantly influenced by nanoparticle concentration, which alters key physicochemical properties such as viscosity and conductivity. This study examines the impact of TiO₂ nanoparticle concentration on the nebulization process in terms of droplet size, velocity, and nebulizer flow rate. Deionized water-based solutions containing 25 nm TiO₂ nanoparticles were prepared at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 5 wt%. To isolate the effect of conductivity, reference solutions containing dissolved NaCl were used to match the conductivity of the nanoparticle suspensions. All solutions were nebulized using a vibrating-mesh nebulizer operating at 110 kHz. Droplet characteristics were measured via Phase Doppler Anemometry, and the flow rate was determined by the time needed to nebulize 1 ml of liquid. The addition of nanoparticles resulted in viscosity changes of up to 6% relative to the base liquid, with the exception of the 5 wt% TiO₂ concentration, which exhibited a notable increase of 23%. NaCl reference solutions showed viscosity changes below 5%. Increased nanoparticle concentration or ionic content led to the formation of a finer spray with smaller droplets, while the velocity of the produced droplets was only marginally affected. Conductivity increased the flow rate up to the point where rising viscosity began to counteract this effect. The results highlight the importance of physicochemical properties in nebulizer operation, showing that changes in conductivity caused by added nanoparticles can significantly affect the nebulization process.

Nebulization of nanoparticle solutions is widely used in material science, pharmaceuticals, and environmental applications. However, the process can be significantly influenced by nanoparticle concentration, which alters key physicochemical properties such as viscosity and conductivity. This study examines the impact of TiO₂ nanoparticle concentration on the nebulization process in terms of droplet size, velocity, and nebulizer flow rate. Deionized water-based solutions containing 25 nm TiO₂ nanoparticles were prepared at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 5 wt%. To isolate the effect of conductivity, reference solutions containing dissolved NaCl were used to match the conductivity of the nanoparticle suspensions. All solutions were nebulized using a vibrating-mesh nebulizer operating at 110 kHz. Droplet characteristics were measured via Phase Doppler Anemometry, and the flow rate was determined by the time needed to nebulize 1 ml of liquid. The addition of nanoparticles resulted in viscosity changes of up to 6% relative to the base liquid, with the exception of the 5 wt% TiO₂ concentration, which exhibited a notable increase of 23%. NaCl reference solutions showed viscosity changes below 5%. Increased nanoparticle concentration or ionic content led to the formation of a finer spray with smaller droplets, while the velocity of the produced droplets was only marginally affected. Conductivity increased the flow rate up to the point where rising viscosity began to counteract this effect. The results highlight the importance of physicochemical properties in nebulizer operation, showing that changes in conductivity caused by added nanoparticles can significantly affect the nebulization process.

Mesh grid nebulizer, Conductivity, Viscosity, Phase Doppler Anemometry

Mesh grid nebulizer, Conductivity, Viscosity, Phase Doppler Anemometry

HÁJEK, J.; MALÝ, M.; CEJPEK, O.; JEDELSKÝ, J.

2026

31.08.2025

Lund

9

https://ilasseurope.org/publications/proceedings/