Methods and compositions for metal nanoparticle treated surfaces

• US 20070207335A1
• Filed: 02/08/2007
• Published: 09/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avent Incorporated (Avanos Medical, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Inventors: Karandikar, Bhalchandra, Gibbins, Bruce
• Granted Patent: US 8,361,553 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 428/560
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 25/02 containing liquids as carriers, diluents or solvents
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 59/16 Heavy metals; Compounds thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 59/20 Copper
• CPC Class Codes: B05D 5/00 Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces to obtain special surface effects, finishes or structures
• CPC Class Codes: B05D 5/12 to obtain a coating with specific electrical properties
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 1/0545 Dispersions or suspensions of nanosized particles
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 7/08 with one or more parts not made from powder B22F7/062 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 9/24 starting from liquid metal compounds, e.g. solutions
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 15/01 all layers being exclusively metallic making layered metal workpieces by pressure cladding B23K20/22; making coatings with a metallic material characterised by its composition C23C30/00
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 2300/26 Elastomers
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 7/043 Improving the adhesiveness of the coatings per se, e.g. forming primers adhesives in the form of films or foils characterised by the primer layers between the polymer carriers and the adhesives C09J7/50
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 7/044 Forming conductive coatings; Forming coatings having anti-static properties
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 7/046 Forming abrasion-resistant coatings; Forming surface-hardening coatings
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 7/056 Forming hydrophilic coatings
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 7/06 with compositions not containing macromolecular substances
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 5/14 Paints containing biocides, e.g. fungicides, insecticides or pesticides C09D5/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 5/1681 Antifouling coatings characterised by surface structure, e.g. for roughness effect giving superhydrophobic coatings or Lotus effect
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 7/67 Particle size smaller than 100 nm
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 1/02 mainly consisting of metals or alloys
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/773 : Nanoparticle, i.e. structure having three dimensions of 100 nm or less
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/12063 : Nonparticulate metal component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/12111 : Separated by nonmetal matrix or binder [e.g., welding electrode, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/13 : Hollow or container type article [e.g., tube, vase, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31507 : Of polycarbonate
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31605 : Next to free metal
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31663 : As siloxane, silicone or silane
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31678 : Of metal
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31681 : Next to polyester, polyamide or polyimide [e.g., alkyd, glue, or nylon, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31688 : Next to aldehyde or ketone condensation product
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31692 : Next to addition polymer from unsaturated monomers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31699 : Ester, halide or nitrile of addition polymer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31707 : Next to natural rubber

Abstract

The present invention comprises methods and compositions comprising metal nanoparticles. The invention comprises metal nanoparticles and surfaces treated with a metal nanoparticle coating. The present invention further comprises compositions for preparing nanoparticles comprising at least one stabilizing agent, one or more metal compounds, at least one reducing agent and a solvent. In one aspect, the stabilizing agent comprises a surfactant or a polymer. The polymer may comprise polymers such as polyacrylamides, polyurethanes, and polyamides. In one aspect, the metal compound comprises a salt comprising a metal cation and an anion. The anion may comprise saccharinate derivatives, long chain fatty acids, and alkyl dicarboxylates.

Claims

1. A method of rendering an elastomeric surface electrically conductive, comprising,

a) contacting an elastomeric surface with a solution comprising metal nanoparticles for a time sufficient for an effective amount of the nanoparticles to adhere to the surface, and

b) rinsing the surface.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the metal nanoparticles are made by a method comprising,

a) adding in no particular order, an aqueous solution of a stabilizing agent solution, an anionic donating solution and a soluble metal salt solution, and

b) adding a reducing solution.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the metal nanoparticle comprises silver, gold, platinum, iridium, rhodium, palladium, copper or zinc.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising, c) heating the final solution.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the contacting and rinsing steps are repeated multiple times to increase the number of nanoparticles adhering to the surface.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the surface contacted is silicone, polyurethane, synthetic or natural rubber, a synthetic or natural polymer, flexible polymers of polyimides, polyamides, polyacetals, polysulfones, PBTs, PBO'"'"'s, ethylene and propylene based polymers, acetate polymers, polyacrylates, polycarbonate, PET'"'"'s, PEN'"'"'s or blends thereof or co-polymeric derivatives.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising

c) contacting the elastomeric surface with nanoparticles adhered thereto with an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide for a sufficient period of time, and

d) rinsing the hydrogen peroxide solution from the surface.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the surface contacted is silicone, polyurethane, synthetic or natural rubber, a synthetic or natural polymer, flexible polymers of polyimides, polyamides, polyacetals, polysulfones, PBTs, PBO'"'"'s, ethylene and propylene based polymers, acetate polymers, polyacrylates, polycarbonate, PET'"'"'s, PEN'"'"'s or blends thereof or co-polymeric derivatives.

9. An article produced by a method of rendering an elastomeric surface electrically conductive, wherein the method comprises

a) contacting an elastomeric surface with a solution comprising metal nanoparticles for a time sufficient for an effective amount of the nanoparticles to adhere to the surface, and

b) rinsing the surface.

10. The article of claim 9, comprising flexible mirrors, stretchable elastic conductive polymers, articles used to reduce electromagnetic interference, to shield devices and circuits against electrostatic discharging, and to impart radar invisibility to aircraft or other vehicles.

11. A method of rendering an article or surface contacting a fluid resistant to biofilm formation, comprising,

a) contacting the article or surface with a solution comprising metal nanoparticles for a time sufficient for an effective amount of the nanoparticles to adhere to the surface, and

b) rinsing the surface.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the metal nanoparticles are made by a method comprising,

a) adding in no particular order, an aqueous solution of a stabilizing agent solution, an anionic donating solution and a soluble metal salt solution, and

b) adding a reducing solution.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the metal nanoparticle comprises silver, gold, platinum, iridium, rhodium, palladium, copper or zinc.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising, c) heating the final solution.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the contacting and rinsing steps are repeated multiple times to increase the number of nanoparticles adhering to the surface.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein an article or surface contacting a fluid that is contacted by the nanoparticles is made of steel, stainless steel, glass, titanium, copper, gold, synthetic and natural polymers, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polysulfone, silicones, HTV, RTV, blends or co-polymeric derivatives.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising

c) contacting the elastomeric surface with nanoparticles adhered thereto with an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide for a sufficient period of time, and

d) rinsing the hydrogen peroxide solution from the surface.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein an article or surface contacting a fluid that is contacted by the nanoparticles is made of steel, stainless steel, glass, titanium, copper, gold, synthetic and natural polymers, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polysulfone, silicones, HTV, RTV, blends or co-polymeric derivatives.

19. An article produced by rendering an article or surface contacting a fluid resistant to biofilm formation, wherein the method comprises

a) contacting an article or surface contacting a fluid with a solution comprising metal nanoparticles for a time sufficient for an effective amount of the nanoparticles to adhere to the article or surface, and

b) rinsing the article or surface.

20. The article of claim 19, comprising food storage and preparation devices, laboratory equipment, marine or water vehicles, hulls, propellers, anchors, ballast tanks, motors, pilings, liquid filtering equipment, tubing, ropes, chains, fish tanks, liquid containers, water bowls, cooling towers, water tanks, canteens, fuel tanks, or storage bins.

21. A method of making metal nanoparticles comprising,

a) adding in no particular order, an aqueous solution of a stabilizing agent solution, an anionic donating solution and a soluble metal salt solution, and

b) adding a reducing solution.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the metal comprises silver, gold, platinum, iridium, rhodium, palladium, copper or zinc.

23. The method of claim 21, further comprising, c) heating the final solution.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the stabilizing agent solution comprises a surfactant, a polymer or both.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the polymer is a homopolymer copolymer, synthetic or naturally derived, polymers of acrylamide and its derivatives, methacrylamide and its derivatives, polyamides, polyurethanes, polymers having no particular backbone but with urethane segments or tertiary amine groups in the side chains, other polymers predominantly polar in nature or co-polymers having a portion that is derived from polar co-monomers, methaacrylamide, substituted acrylamides, substituted methaacrylamides, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, acrylonitrile, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid and its salts (sodium, potassium, ammonium), 2-vinyl pyrrolidone, 2-vinyl oxazoline, vinyl acetate, maleic anhydride.

26. The method of claim 21, further comprising, forming the nanoparticles in situ on the surface of an article.

27. The method of claim 21, further comprising, extracting the nanoparticles into a non-aqueous solution.

28. A metal nanoparticle made by a method of

a) adding in no particular order, an aqueous solution of a stabilizing agent solution, an anionic donating solution and a soluble metal salt solution, and

b) adding a tertiary diamine solution.

29. The metal nanoparticle of claim 28, wherein the metal comprises silver, gold, platinum, iridium, rhodium, palladium, copper or zinc.

30. The metal nanoparticle of claim 28, further comprising, c) heating the final solution.

31. The metal nanoparticle of claim 28, wherein the stabilizing agent is a polymer, a surfactant or both.

32. The metal nanoparticle of claim 28, wherein the polymer is a homopolymer copolymer, synthetic or naturally derived, acrylamide and its derivatives, methacrylamide and its derivatives, polyamides, polyurethanes, polymers having no particular backbone but with urethane segments or tertiary amine groups in the side chains, other polymers predominantly polar in nature or co-polymers having a portion that is derived from polar co-monomers, methaacrylamide, substituted acrylamides, substituted methaacrylamides, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, acrylonitrile, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid and its salts (sodium, potassium, ammonium), 2-vinyl pyrrolidone, 2-vinyl oxazoline, vinyl acetate, maleic anhydride.

33. The metal nanoparticle of claim 28, wherein the surfactant is an anionic, nonionic, or amphoteric surfactant.