Process for the production of nanoparticles
OwnerMichael F. Becker, James R. Brock +1inventors
InventorsMichael F. Becker, James R. Brock, John W. Keto
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Abstract
Nanoparticles are produced by exposing microparticles to an energy beam, particularly to a beam of laser light, above the ablation threshold of the microparticles. Nanoparticles are produced having a narrow size distribution.
Claims21
A process for making nanoparticles, comprising:
- exposing microparticles to an energy beam that is effective to ablate directly the microparticles under conditions such that a plurality of nanoparticles are formed from each microparticle, the microparticles having a particle density less than 1.times.10.sup.9 particles per cubic centimeter:
- and wherein the nanoparticles have a dispersion of less than about 0.5.
A process useful for producing nanoparticles having a diameter in the range from 1 to 1000 nanometers, comprising illuminating microparticles having a diameter in the range from about 0.1 to about 1000 microns with laser light under conditions such that nanoparticles are formed, the laser light having sufficient intensity and appropriate wavelength such that a plasma formation threshold of the microparticles is exceeded by a factor of at least 1.5, and wherein individual microparticles are substantially free from contact with other microparticles while being illuminated with laser light.
A process useful for making nanoparticles, comprising:
- illuminating microparticles having a mean diameter greater than about 1 micron and less than about 100 microns with laser light of a wavelength and an intensity effective to produce a plurality of nanoparticles from each microparticle, wherein the microparticles have a particle density of less than about 1.times.10.sup.9 particles per cubic centimeter, and wherein the nanoparticles have a dispersion of less than about 0.4.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.