Submerged Discharges in Liquids for Nanoobject Synthesis: Expectations and Capabilities

Electrical discharges in liquids are used to synthesize and process nanoobjects with breakthrough achievements that lead to high expectations in the field. As plasmas are non-equilibrium media, the possibility to access novel compositions, shapes, structures, etc. is often put forward as major argument to promote these processes. Two main classes of processes are considered in this review: the so-called “solution plasma” and glow-discharge electrolysis. The influence of the main parameters controlling the selected processes is discussed. Applications are also presented together with expectations on breakthrough achievements awaited for these processes.