Tin nanoparticles and methodology for making same
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorsJustin S. GOLIGHTLY, Alfred A. Zinn
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Abstract
A method of preparing tin (Sn) nanoparticles based on a bottom-up approach is provided. The method includes combining a first solution comprising Sn ions with a second solution comprising a reducing agent. After the combination, the Sn ions and the reducing agent undergo a reaction in which at least some of the Sn ions are reduced to Sn nanoparticles. The first solution comprises a tin salt dissolved in a solvent; the second solution comprises an alkali metal and naphthalene dissolved in a solvent; and the combined solution further comprises a capping agent that moderates a growth of aggregates of the Sn nanoparticles.
Claims20
A method comprising:
- forming a reaction mixture comprising a solution of a tin salt, a reducing agent, and a capping agent;
- and
- reducing at least a portion of the tin salt in the presence of the reducing agent and the capping agent to form aggregates of tin nanoparticles;
- wherein the capping agent moderates a growth of the aggregates of tin nanoparticles, the capping agent comprising a functional group selected from the group consisting of an amine, a phosphine, a thiol, and a carboxylate.
A method comprising:
- forming a reaction mixture comprising a solution of a tin salt, a reducing agent, and a capping agent;
- reducing at least a portion of the tin salt in the presence of the reducing agent and the capping agent to form aggregates of tin nanoparticles;
- and
- allowing the tin nanoparticles to at least partially oxidize to form a tin oxide (SnO2) shell at least partially surrounding the tin nanoparticles;
- wherein the capping agent moderates a growth of the aggregates of tin nanoparticles, the capping agent comprising a functional group selected from the group consisting of an amine, a phosphine, a thiol, and a carboxylate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.