Direct formation of metal nanoparticles using ultrasound
AssigneeNational Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
InventorsDale L. Huber, John Daniel Watt, Jonathan Chavez, Lauren Marie Ammerman
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Abstract
A method for creating nanoparticles directly from bulk metal by applying ultrasound to the surface in the presence of a two-part surfactant system. Implosive collapse of cavitation bubbles near the bulk metal surface generates powerful microjets, leading to material ejection. This liberated material is captured and stabilized by a surfactant bilayer in the form of nanoparticles. Nanoparticles can be produced regardless of the bulk metal form factor. The method is generally applicable of metals and alloys. The method can be applied to an environmentally important problem, the reclamation of gold from an electronic waste stream.
Claims19
A method of forming metal nanoparticles, comprising
- providing a bulk metal in a solution comprising a self-assembled monolayer-forming surfactant and an emulsion-forming surfactant that form an organic bilayer on a surface of the bulk metal in a solvent;
- and
- ultrasonicating the solution to form metal nanoparticles by implosive collapse of cavitation bubbles on the surface of the bulk metal and which are stabilized in the solution by the organic bilayer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.