Published online by Cambridge University Press: 25 February 2011
A wide variety of compounds, e.g., superconductors, chromites, and manganites, can be synthesized by spray drying a mixture of salts or a combination of salts and sols in a flash dryer. The process ensures good control of stoichiometry, morphology, particle size, and surface area. Appropriate particle-growth and synthesis heat treatments of these fine powders have been conducted, and the resultant powders have been evaluated for possible applications in fuel cells and superconductors. The process has been scaled up to a pilot-plant capacity of ≈40 kg per day.