Method of preparing metal containing compounds using hydrodynamic cavitation
AssigneeWorcester Polytechnic Institute
InventorsWilliam R. Moser, Oleg V. Kozyuk, Josef Find, Sean Christian Emerson, Ivo M. Krausz
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Abstract
A process for the preparation of nanostructured materials in high phase purities using cavitation is disclosed. The method comprises mixing a metal containing solution with a precipitating agent and passing the mixture into a cavitation chamber. The chamber consists of a first element to produce cavitation bubbles, and a second element that creates a pressure zone sufficient to collapse the bubbles. The process is useful for the preparation of mixed metal oxide catalysts and materials for piezoelectrics and superconductors.
Claims32
A process for the preparation of nanostructured materials in high phase purities comprising:
- a) mixing a metal containing solution with a precipitating agent to form a mixed solution that precipitates a product;
- b) passing the mixed solution at elevated pressure and at a velocity into a cavitation chamber, wherein said cavitation chamber has means for creating a cavitation zone and means for controlling said zone, and wherein cavitation of the mixed solution takes place, forming a cavitated precipitated product, said cavitation chamber comprising:
- a flow-through channel having a flow area, internally containing at least one first element that produces a local constriction of the flow area, and having an outlet downstream of the local constriction;
- and
- a second element that produces a second local constriction positioned at the outlet, wherein a cavitation zone is formed immediately after the first element, and an elevated pressure zone is created between the cavitation zone and the second local constriction;
- c) removing the cavitated precipitated product and the mixed solution from the cavitation chamber;
- and
- d) separating the cavitated precipitated product from the mixed solution.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.