Methods for the preparation of nanosized material particles

• US 6,706,795 B1
• Filed: 09/11/2000
• Issued: 03/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Yissum Research Development Company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Ltd. (Hebrew University of Jerusalem)
• Original Assignee: Yissum Research Development Company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Ltd. (Hebrew University of Jerusalem)
• Inventors: Garti, Nissim, Berkovich, Yana
• Primary Examiner(s): Lovering, Richard D.
• Application Number:
  US09/622,299
• Time in Patent Office: 1,282 Days
• Field of Search: 427/212, 428/402, 516/34, 516/95, 516/97, 516/33, 252/62.54, 524/440, 524/431, 757/21, 423/DIG.14
• US Class Current: 524/431
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 13/00 Colloid chemistry, e.g. the production of colloidal materials or their solutions, not otherwise provided for; Making microcapsules or microballoons
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 13/32 by oxidation or hydrolysis of elements or compounds in the liquid or solid state or in non-aqueous solution, e.g. sol-gel process
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 13/36 by precipitation reactions in aqueous solutions C01B13/328 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C01P 2004/64 Nanometer sized, i.e. from 1-100 nanometer
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 23/00 Use of substances as emulsifying, wetting, dispersing, or foam-producing agents
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2982 Particulate matter [e.g., sphere, flake, etc.]

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for the production of particles of nano-materials being transition metals and alloys; metal oxides; and ceramic compositions having a small nanosize, i.e. about 1-6 nm. The method comprises a synthesis in the solutions of complex liquids from suitable precursors, which precursors are selected from suitable surfactants and alkoxides, by a suitable chemical reaction under mild conditions; and preparing from said materials fine colloids dispersed in various polymer solutions. The water in the solution is preferably non freezing water, the mild conditions are atmospheric pressure and a temperature range of room temperature to 70° C., and the reaction condition is selected among a hydrolysis, reduction and exchange process.

Claims

1. A method for the production of transition metal, metal alloy, metal oxide or ceramic nanomaterial particles comprising the steps of:

synthesizing nanomaterial particles in solutions of complex liquids from suitable precursors, which precursors are selected from the group consisting of suitable surfactants, alkoxides, and metal salts, by a suitable chemical reaction under mild conditions, wherein the water in the solution is nonfreezing water; and

preparing fine colloids dispersed in various polymer solutions.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the nanomaterial particles have a diameter of 1-5 nm.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the mild conditions are atmospheric pressure and a temperature range of room temperature to 70°

C.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the chemical reaction is a hydrolysis process.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the chemical reaction is an exchange process.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the solution comprises an organized water-organic surfactant.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the solution comprises a microemulsion.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the solution comprises liquid crystalline media.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the surfactants are selected from the group consisting of trioctylmethyl ammonium chloride (aliquat 336), dioctyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB), cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAB);

sodium bis-(2-ethyl-hexyl)sulfosuccinate; and

poly-ethoxyethylene-10-oleyl ether.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the metal oxide and metal precursors are selected from the group consisting of tetraethoxy silanes (TEOS);

tetramethoxy silane (TMOS);

Al, Zr isopropoxides;

Fe, Mg and Al chlorides;

Al and Mg acetates;

Na and K orthosilicates;

Zr oxychloride and transition metal salts of Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ir and Pt.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein the chemical reaction is a reduction process.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the reducing agent is selected from the group consisting of sodium formate;

hydrogen; and

alcohol.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the alcohol is selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, and isopropylalcohol.

14. A method according to claim 1, wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of a suitable hydrocarbon, a chlorinated hydrocarbon and ether.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the hydrocarbons are selected from the group consisting of octane, decane and dodecane.

16. A method according to claim 14, wherein the chlorinated hydrocarbon is 1,2-dichlorethane.

17. A method according to claim 14, wherein the ether is ethylether.