US 6,660,058 B1 · Preparation of silver and silver alloyed nanoparticles in surfactant solutions

Abstract

The present invention relates to the preparation of nanoparticles of silver (Ag) and silver alloyed with other elements such as platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), gold (Au), aluminum (Al), cadmium (Cd) and sulfur (S) in surfactant solutions. The surfactant molecules have the intrinsic property to adsorb into the interface, which are formed between two different phases. Thus, the surfactant molecules would adsorb into the surface of nuclei in solution. The adsorbed surfactant molecules from the solution prevent the coalescence of particles and control the rate of particle growth. By choosing the proper kind and/or concentration of surfactants, the size of particles formed in solution can be controlled in nm scale.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A method for making a nano-sized silver particle comprising:

(i) preparing an aqueous silver salt solution;
(ii) preparing an aqueous solution comprising a silver ion reducing agent;
(iii) preparing a polyoxyethylene (2) sorbitan monolaurate or sodium dodecyl sulfate surfactant solution;
and
(iv) mixing the solutions prepared in steps (i-iii) in any order to form a nano-sized silver particle, wherein the polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate or sodium dodecyl sulfate surfactant is present at least in the solution prepared in steps (ii-iii).

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Preparation of silver and silver alloyed nanoparticles in surfactant solutions

Life of this patent

Preparation of silver and silver alloyed nanoparticles in surfactant solutions

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims10