Germanium-based polymers and products formed from germanium-based polymers
OwnerMajid Keshavarz, Guojun Liuinventors
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Abstract
Germanium-based polymers are described. In one embodiment, a germanium-based polymer includes a structure given by the formula: [GeR]n, wherein n is a non-negative integer that is at least one, and R is selected from a wide variety of groups, such as alkyl groups, alkenyl groups, alkynyl groups, aryl groups, iminyl groups, and so forth. Also described are methods of forming germanium-based polymers, methods of forming nanoparticles from germanium-based polymers, methods of forming nanostructured materials from germanium-based polymers, nanoparticles formed from germanium-based polymers, nanostructured materials formed from germanium-based polymers, and devices formed from germanium-based polymers.
Claims36
A method of forming nanoparticles of germanium, comprising:
- dispersing a germanium-based polymer in a solvent to form a precursor mixture, the germanium-based polymer including a repeat unit given by the formula:
- [GeR], wherein Ge is a germanium atom, and R is a substituent group that includes from 1 to 20 carbon atoms;
- and
- thermolyzing the precursor mixture to form nanoparticles of germanium having sizes in the range of 1 nm to 100 nm.
A method of forming nanoparticles of germanium, comprising:
- providing a germanium-based polymer including a network backbone structure and substituent groups that are bonded to the network backbone structure, the network backbone structure including germanium atoms that are bonded to one another;
- and
- heating the germanium-based polymer to remove the substituent groups, such that nanoparticles of germanium having sizes in the nm range are formed.
A method of forming a nanostructured material, comprising:
- dissolving a polygermyne in an organic solvent to form a precursor mixture that includes from 1 percent to 50 percent by weight of the polygermyne;
- applying the precursor mixture to a substrate to form a coating;
- and
- thermolyzing the coating in accordance with a time-temperature profile to form a nanostructured material having a porosity in the range of 10 percent to 90 percent.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.