METHOD FOR IN SITU FORMATION OF METAL NANOCLUSTERS WITHIN A POROUS SUBSTRATE FIELD

• US 20110091717A1
• Filed: 06/29/2009
• Published: 04/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Weiss, Douglas E.
• Application Number:
  US12/996,072
• Publication Number:
  US 20110091717A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 428/319.1
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 25/10 Macromolecular compounds
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 25/34 Shaped forms, e.g. sheets, not provided for in any other sub-group of this main group
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 59/16 Heavy metals; Compounds thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/235 cellular, porous or foamed
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/238 Metals or alloys, e.g. oligodynamic metals
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2323/46 Impregnation
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2325/48 Antimicrobial properties
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 67/0018 Thermally induced processes [TIPS]
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 67/0032 by elimination of segments of the precursor, e.g. nucleation-track membranes, lithography or laser methods
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 69/148 Organic/inorganic mixed matrix membranes
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 1/054 Nanosized particles
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 1/148 Agglomerating
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 2202/11 Use of irradiation
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 2999/00 Aspects linked to processes or compositions used in powder metallurgy
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 9/02 using physical processes
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: D06M 10/008 Treatment with radioactive elements or with neutrons, alpha, beta or gamma rays
• CPC Class Codes: D06M 10/06 Inorganic compounds or elements
• CPC Class Codes: D06M 11/83 with metals; with metal-generating compounds, e.g. metal carbonyls; Reduction of metal compounds on textiles
• CPC Class Codes: D06M 16/00 Biochemical treatment of fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics, or fibrous goods made from such materials, e.g. enzymatic
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24999 : Inorganic

Abstract

A method for in situ formation of metal nanoclusters within a porous substrate comprises imbibing a porous substrate with an aqueous heavy metal salt solution, and exposing the imbibed porous substrate to ionizing radiation to form heavy metal nanoclusters within the porous substrate.

Claims

1. A method for in situ formation of metal nanoclusters within a porous substrate comprising:

(a) imbibing a porous substrate with an aqueous heavy metal salt solution; and

(b) exposing the imbibed porous substrate to ionizing radiation to form heavy metal nanoclusters within the porous substrate.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the porous substrate comprises interstices having an average size of less than about 100 μ

m.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the porous substrate is a thermally induced phase-separated membrane.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the thermally induced phase-separated membrane comprises pores having an average size of less than about 10 μ

m.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the thermally induced phase-separated membrane is hydrophobic.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the porous substrate is a charged substrate and wherein the porous substrate remains charged after the exposing step.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the average size of the heavy metal nanoclusters is less than about 100 nm.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein the aqueous heavy metal salt solution further comprises a non-polar solvent.

22. The method of claim 1 wherein exposing the aqueous heavy metal salt solution to ionizing radiation comprises using an electron-beam.

23. The method of claim 1 further comprising drying the imbibed porous substrate after exposing the aqueous heavy metal salt solution to ionizing radiation.

24. The method of claim 23 further comprising washing the imbibed porous substrate with solvent after drying.

25. The method of claim 1 further comprising washing the imbibed porous substrate with solvent.

26. The method of claim 1 further comprising adding a liner to at least one side of the porous substrate after depositing the aqueous heavy metal salt solution onto the porous substrate but before exposing the aqueous heavy metal salt solution to ionizing radiation.

6-7. -7. (canceled)

10-18. -18. (canceled)

20-21. -21. (canceled)

27-29. -29. (canceled)

30. An article comprising heavy metal nanoclusters imbedded within a porous substrate.

31. The article of claim 30 wherein the porous substrate is a thermally induced phase-separated membrane.

33. The article of claim 30 wherein the substrate is charged.

34. The article of claim 30 wherein the heavy metal nanoclusters comprise gold, silver, palladium, platinum, copper, or combinations thereof.

37. The article of claim 30 wherein the article exhibits antimicrobial properties.

38. The article of claim 37 wherein the article is a sponge, a wipe, a filter, clothing, or food packaging.

41. The article of claim 30 wherein the article is electromagnetic field shielding.

32. (canceled)

35-36. -36. (canceled)

39-40. -40. (canceled)

42. (canceled)