Nanoparticles, Nanosponges, Methods of Synthesis, and Methods of Use
AssigneeBoard of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College
InventorsKun Lian, Qinglin Wu
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Abstract
We disclose novel metallic nanoparticles coated with a thin protective carbon shell, and three-dimensional nano-metallic sponges; methods of preparation of the nanoparticles; and uses for these novel materials, including wood preservation, strengthening of polymer and fiber/polymer building materials, and catalysis.
Claims29
A method for making metallic-core carbon-shell nanoparticles, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) impregnating biological fibers with a solution of metal ions in an aqueous or non-aqueous solvent;
- (b) removing the solvent, while leaving at least some of the metal ions impregnated in the fibers;
- and
- (c) heating the metal-ion-impregnated fibers in a non-oxidizing atmosphere or in a vacuum to a temperature that carbonizes at least some of the fibers, that does not vaporize most of the carbon, that reduces at least some of the metal ions to metal particles in a zero oxidation state, and that causes a carbon-shell to form around and to completely enclose most of the zero-oxidation-state metal particles.
A method for making metallic nanosponges, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) impregnating biological fibers with a solution of metal ions in an aqueous or non-aqueous solvent;
- (b) removing the solvent, while leaving at least some of the metal ions impregnated in the fibers;
- and
- (c) heating the metal-ion-impregnated fibers in a non-oxidizing atmosphere or in a vacuum to a temperature or temperatures that initially carbonize at least some of the fibers, that then reduce at least some of the metal ions to metal particles in a zero oxidation state, and that then vaporize the carbon to produce a metallic, highly porous nanosponge comprising zero-oxidation-state metal.
A method as recited in claim 24, wherein the metal ions are selected from ions of the group consisting of Cu, Ag, Ni, and Gd.
A method as recited in claim 24, wherein the metal ions comprise copper ions.
A method as recited in claim 24, wherein the metal ions comprise silver ions.
A metallic nanosponge comprising a plurality of interconnecting, open metal tubes, wherein said tubes comprise porous walls, wherein most of said tubes are less than about 1 mm in diameter, wherein said porous walls comprise pores between about 1 μm and about 10 nm in diameter, and wherein the thickness of said walls is non-uniform, and is between about 1 μm and about 50 nm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.