Synthesis and Surface Functionalization of Particles
AssigneeThe Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama
InventorYuping Bao
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Provided are methods of controlling the shape and surface chemistry of nanoparticles, particularly ferrite nanoparticles. Methods for preparing non-spherical ferrite nanoparticles, including nanocubes, nanobars, nanoplates, and nanoflowers, are described. Also provided are methods of functionalizing the surface of metal and metal oxide particles. The surface functionalization methods do not require the use of chemical linkers and/or additional reagents, and permit the facile conjugation of a range of molecules, including bioactive agents, to the surface of particles.
Claims22
A method of preparing non-spherical nanoparticles comprising
- a) incubating a precursor complex comprising a metallic moiety and one or more ligands coordinated to the metallic moiety at a temperature of from about 100° C. to about 300 ° C. for a period of time effective to form a population of nuclei by thermal displacement of one or more of the ligands from the metallic moiety, and
- b) heating the nuclei at a temperature of from greater than 300° C. to about 400° C. to form a population of non-spherical nanoparticles,
- wherein the smallest dimension of the non-spherical nanoparticles is greater than 4 nm.
A method of preparing non-spherical nanoparticles comprising
- a) incubating a precursor complex comprising a metallic moiety and one or more ligands coordinated to the metallic moiety at a temperature of from about 100° C. to about 300 ° C. for a period of time effective to form a population of non-spherical nanoparticles by thermal displacement of one or more of the ligands from the metallic moiety, and
- b) adding a ligand mixture comprising one or more fatty acids and one or more capping ligands, wherein the molar ratio of the fatty acids to the capping ligands ranges from 2:1 to 1:10.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.