Method of producing homogeneous mixed metal oxides and metal-metal oxide mixtures
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
InventorThomas C. Quinby
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Abstract
Metal powders, metal oxide powders, and mixtures thereof of controlled particle size are provided by reacting an aqueous solution containing dissolved metal values with excess urea. Upon heating, urea reacts with water from the solution leaving a molten urea solution containing the metal values. The molten urea solution is heated to above about 180.degree. C. whereupon metal values precipitate homogeneously as a powder. The powder is reduced to metal or calcined to form oxide particles. One or more metal oxides in a mixture can be selectively reduced to produce metal particles or a mixture of metal and metal oxide particles.
Claims10
A method of preparing particulate metal or metal oxide of controlled particle size comprising:
- a. contacting an aqueous solution containing dissolved metal values with excess urea at a temperature sufficient to cause urea to react with water in said aqueous solution to provide a molten urea solution containing said metal values;
- b. heating said molten urea solution containing metal values to cause said metal values to precipitate forming a mixture containing precipitated metal values;
- c. heating said mixture containing precipitated metal values to evaporate volatile material from said mixture, leaving a dry powder containing said metal values.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.