Asymmetric nanoparticles from polymer nanospheres
OwnerIlsoon Lee, Devesh Srivastavainventors
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Abstract
Various kinds of nanostructured particles like nanorice and nanospears (i.e., tapered nanorods) are made using polymer nanospheres and ordered porous templates. For example, cylindrical nanopores of anodized alumina membranes are filled with polymer nanoparticles by a solvent assisted nanoinjection. Then the membranes are heated in an oven above the glass transition temperature of the polymer. The nanoparticles coalesce to form nanorods with a controlled aspect ratio and terminal contour. The terminal contour can be shaped in the form of nanorice, nanospears or tapered nanorods.
Claims29
A method for making elongated nanoshapes, comprising
- delivering nanoparticles to the nanopores of a substrate;
- heating the substrate at a temperature and for a time sufficient to coalesce the nanoparticles into nanoshapes in the nanopores;
- and
- harvesting the nanoshapes from the nanopores.
A method of making elongated nanoshapes, comprising
- pumping a fluid composition comprising polymeric nanoparticles and a carrier liquid through a first set of nanopores in an anodized alumina substrate;
- pumping the carrier liquid through a second set of nanopores smaller than first set, and smaller than the size of the nanoparticles;
- heating the anodized alumina substrate at a temperature above the glass transition temperature of the nanoparticles for a time sufficient for the nanoparticles to coalesce into nanoshapes inside the nanopores;
- and
- exposing the substrate containing the substrate to a liquid that dissolves the substrate without dissolving the nanoshapes.
A polymeric nanorice nanoparticle having a diameter of from 10 to 1000 nm, and an aspect ratio greater than 1 and less than about 100.
A method of making a nanorice nanoparticle characterized by an aspect ratio of greater than 1 and less than or equal to about 100, the method comprising:
- a) delivering polymeric nanoparticles to the cylindrical nanopores of a nanoporous substrate, wherein the total amount of nanoparticles delivered is less than the amount required to fill the nanopores, and where the nanoparticles comprise a thermoplastic polymeric material characterized by a glass transition temperature;
- b) heating the nanoparticles in the nanopores at a temperature above the glass transition temperature but below a temperature at which the polymeric material liquefies, for a time sufficient to form tapered nanoshapes having an aspect ratio greater than 1 and less than 100;
- and
- c) harvesting the nanorice nanoparticle by dissolving the nanoporous substrate in a liquid that does not dissolve the nanorice nanoparticle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.