Synthetic control of metal oxide nanocrystal sizes and shapes
AssigneeBoard of Trustees of the University of Arkansas
InventorsXiaogang Peng, Yongfen Chen, Nikhil Jana, Arun Narayanaswamy
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Abstract
A general, reproducible, and simple synthetic method that employs readily available chemicals permits control of the size, shape, and size distribution of metal oxide nanocrystals. The synthesis entails reacting a metal fatty acid salt, the corresponding fatty acid, and a hydrocarbon solvent, with the reaction product being pyrolyzed to the metal oxide. Nearly monodisperse oxide nanocrystals of Fe3O4, Cr2O3, MnO, Co3O4, NiO, ZnO, SnO2, and In2O3, in a large size range (3-50 nm), are described. Size and shape control of the nanocrystals is achieved by varying the reactivity and concentration of the precursors.
Claims12
A method of making nanometer-scale metal oxide particles, comprising:
- a. combining a metal fatty acid salt, a fatty acid, and a hydrocarbon solvent to form an admixture thereof;
- and
- b. heating the admixture to a temperature of at least 300° C. until the metal oxide particles are formed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.