Method of forming inorganic nanocages
AssigneeResearch Foundation of the City University of New York
InventorsHiroshi Matsui, Zengyan Wei, Justin Fang
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Abstract
Nanocages are formed by etching nancubes. The nanocubes are added to an aqueous system having an amphiphilic lipid dissolved in an organic solvent (e.g. a hydrophobic alcohol) to form reverse micelles. As the water evaporates the micelles shrink as etching of the flat surface of the nanocubes occurs. In this fashion hollow nanocages are produced. In one embodiment, the nanocage is covalently attached to a polymer shell (e.g. a dextran shell).
Claims15
A method of forming a nanocage, the method comprising steps of:
- forming a reverse micelle system comprising an inorganic nanocube having a diameter of 15 nm or less, an amphiphilic lipid, water and an organic solvent that is immiscible with water and has a boiling point greater than 100° C.;
- removing the water by evaporation, the step of removing causing the inorganic nanocube to be etched to form a nanocage, wherein the nanocage has a diameter less than the diameter of the inorganic nanocube;
- covalently attaching a polymer shell to the nanocage, wherein the polymer shell has a diameter of less than 50 nm.
A method of forming a nanocage, the method comprising sequential steps of:
- forming a reverse micelle system comprising an inorganic nanocube consisting of iron oxide having a diameter of 15 nm or less, an amphiphilic lipid, water and an organic solvent that is immiscible with water and has a boiling point greater than 100° C.;
- removing the water by evaporation, the step of removing causing the inorganic nanocube to be etched to form an iron oxide nanocage, wherein the iron oxide nanocage has a diameter less than the diameter of the inorganic nanocube;
- covalently attaching a polymer shell to the iron oxide nanocage, wherein the polymer shell comprises dextran and has a diameter of less than 50 nm and the iron oxide nanocage is covalently attached to the polymer shell by a catechol linking group.
A composition of matter comprising:
- an inorganic nanocage with a diameter less than 15 nm;
- a polymer shell comprising dextran surrounding the inorganic nanocage, wherein the polymer shell has a diameter of less than 50 nm and the inorganic nanocage is covalently attached to the polymer shell by a catechol linking group.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.