Iron nanoparticles and methods of production

Abstract

Techniques and methods are disclosed for producing a plurality of nanoparticles that can be used as catalysts to grow carbon or boron nitride nanotubes. The method includes mixing an iron salt including a ferrous or ferric ion with a long chain amine, thiol or polyphenol in a solvent comprising alcohol to produce a solution. Ferric or ferrous ion is reduced to zero valence iron. Nucleation of iron nanoparticles is initialized. The iron nanoparticles are capped to retard nanoparticle growth. The nanoparticles include an elemental iron core coated with a polyphenol that isolates the core from oxygen. The nanoparticles include an average diameter of less than or equal to 15.8 nanometers. The iron core may further include a secondary metal to form an iron-alloy. The secondary metal, in some applications, can be a transition metal.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.