Composite for controlled release of small molecules in aquatic environments
AssigneeThe Government of the US, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorsBrian Melde, Michael A. Markowitz
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Abstract
A composite material formulated for slow release of a small molecule in seawater includes a porous inorganic oxide framework and micelles embedded within the pores of the framework. The micelles include a surfactant and a small molecule, the surfactant being present in the composite material at no more than 80 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight inorganic oxide, the composite material being stable in seawater for releasing the small molecule over at least 20 days.
Claims29
A composite material formulated for slow release of a small molecule in seawater comprising:
- a porous inorganic oxide framework;
- micelles embedded within the pores of the framework, the micelles comprising a surfactant and a small molecule, the surfactant being present in the composite at no more than 80 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight inorganic oxide, the composite material being stable in seawater for releasing the small molecule over at least 20 days.
A method for preparing a composite material comprising:
- providing a liquid source of an inorganic oxide;
- hydrolyzing the liquid source of an inorganic oxide in a polar solvent to form a sol;
- incorporating a surfactant and a small organic molecule in the sol, the surfactant being present in the sol at no more than 80 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of inorganic oxide;
- and
- solidifying the sol to form the composite material in which the small molecule and surfactant are present in pores of the composite material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.