Metal hydride nanoparticles
AssigneeThe Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorsAlbert Epshteyn, Zachary J. Huba, Matthew Finn
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Abstract
A nanoparticle of a decomposition product of a transition metal aluminum hydride compound, a transition metal borohydride compound, or a transition metal gallium hydride compound. A process of: reacting a transition metal salt with an aluminum hydride compound, a borohydride compound, or a gallium hydride compound to produce one or more of the nanoparticles. The reaction occurs in solution while being sonicated at a temperature at which the metal hydride compound decomposes. A process of: reacting a nanoparticle with a compound containing at least two hydroxyl groups to form a coating having multi-dentate metal-alkoxides.
Claims4
A process comprising:
- forming a solution comprising TiCl4 and an aprotic solvent;
- adding LiBH4 to the solution to form Ti(BH4)3;
- filtering the solution to remove any solid LiBH4 and LiCl from the solution and to form a filtrate comprising the Ti(BH4)3 dissolved in the aprotic solvent;
- reacting the Ti(BH4)3 with LiAlH4 in the aprotic solvent while being sonicated to produce nanoparticles comprising titanium, boron, and hydrogen;
- wherein the molar ratio of the Ti(BH4)3 to the LiAlH4 is from 1:1 to 1,000,000:1;
- and
- annealing the nanoparticles under a vacuum;
- wherein the annealing is from 50° C. to 900° C.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.