Light-emitting nanoparticles and method of making same
AssigneeBoard of Regents, The University of Texas System
InventorsBrian A. Korgel, Keith P. Johnston
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for the production of a robust, chemically stable, crystalline, passivated nanoparticle and composition containing the same, that emit light with high efficiencies and size-tunable and excitation energy tunable color. The methods include the thermal degradation of a precursor molecule in the presence of a capping agent at high temperature and elevated pressure. A particular composition prepared by the methods is a passivated silicon nanoparticle composition displaying discrete optical transitions.
Claims59
A method of forming nanoparticles comprising heating a mixture of a Group IV metal organometallic precursor and a capping agent at a temperature wherein the precursor decomposes, and the nanoparticles are formed.
A nanoparticle formed by the method comprising heating a mixture of a Group IV organometallic precursor and a capping agent at a temperature wherein the precursor decomposes forming the nanoparticles.
A nanoparticle comprising a Group IV metal and a capping agent coupled to the Group IV metal, wherein the nanoparticle has an average particle diameter of between about 1 to about 100 angstroms, and wherein the capping agent inhibits oxidation of the nanoparticle.
A method of forming nanoparticles comprising heating a mixture of one or more organometallic precursors and a capping agent in a supercritical fluid, wherein the organometallic precursors decompose forming the nanoparticles.
A nanoparticle formed by the method comprising heating a mixture of one or more organometallic precursors and a capping agent in a supercritical fluid, wherein the organometallic precursors decompose forming the nanoparticles.
A nanoparticle comprising a metal and a capping agent coupled to the metal, wherein the nanoparticle has an average particle diameter of between about 1 to about 100 angstroms, and wherein the capping agent inhibits oxidation of the nanoparticle.
A method of forming nanoparticles comprising heating a mixture of one or more metal salts and a capping agent in supercritical water, wherein the metal salts decompose forming the nanoparticles.
A method of forming nanoparticles in a continuous manner comprising:
- injecting a mixture of an organometallic precursor and a capping agent into a reactor;
- heating the mixture within the reactor to a temperature wherein the precursor decomposes forming the nanoparticles;
- and removing the formed nanoparticles from the reactor while substantially simultaneously injecting additional organometallic precursors and capping agents into the reactor.
A nanoparticle formed by the method comprising heating a mixture of one or more organometallic precursors and a capping agent in a fluid at a temperature above about 300° C. and below the supercritical temperature of the fluid.
A nanoparticle formed by the method comprising heating a mixture of one or more organometallic precursors and a capping agent in a fluid at a temperature below the supercritical temperature of the fluid, wherein the temperature of the fluid is not less than about 100° C. below the supercritical temperature of the fluid.
A nanowire comprising a metal and a capping agent coupled to the metal, wherein the capping agent inhibits oxidation of the nanowire.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.