SILICON NANOPARTICLE NANOTUBES AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME
First Claim
1. A method for forming silicon nanoparticle nanotubes, the method comprising steps of:
- disposing a conductive or semiconductive substrate in a solution including a dispersion of silicon nanoparticles, said disposing being done in a manner to avoid a meniscus being formed on a surface of the substrate;
disposing a thick electrode opposite the surface of the substrate;
applying electrical potential between the substrate and the thick electrode;
maintaining the electrical potential between the substrate and the thick electrode to form a thin film of silicon nanoparticles on the substrate; and
drying the thin film to induce it to roll into a silicon nanoparticle nanotube;
wherein the area and thickness of the thin film is such that a diameter of the silicon nanoparticle nanotube is at least about 100 times greater than the thickness of the thin film.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A relatively thick electrode is positioned opposite the surface of a substrate/second electrode. The electrode and the substrate surface are both contacted by a solution including silicon nanoparticles. The substrate surface is completely immersed in the solution in a manner such that there is not an air/solution interface and there is no meniscus at the substrate surface. Application of electrical potential between the electrode and the substrate creates a film of silicon nanoparticles on the substrate. Drying of the film induces the film to roll up and form a silicon nanoparticle nanotube material. A film may be subdivided into an array of identical portions, and the identical portions will roll into identical tubes having same length and diameter. A silicon nanoparticle nanotube material of the invention includes nanotubes formed of silicon nanoparticles.
-
Citations
14 Claims
-
1. A method for forming silicon nanoparticle nanotubes, the method comprising steps of:
-
disposing a conductive or semiconductive substrate in a solution including a dispersion of silicon nanoparticles, said disposing being done in a manner to avoid a meniscus being formed on a surface of the substrate; disposing a thick electrode opposite the surface of the substrate; applying electrical potential between the substrate and the thick electrode; maintaining the electrical potential between the substrate and the thick electrode to form a thin film of silicon nanoparticles on the substrate; and drying the thin film to induce it to roll into a silicon nanoparticle nanotube; wherein the area and thickness of the thin film is such that a diameter of the silicon nanoparticle nanotube is at least about 100 times greater than the thickness of the thin film. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
- 10. Silicon nanoparticle material, comprising a flexible nanotube formed of silicon nanoparticles.
Specification