# US 9,040,157 B2 · Hollow nanoparticles and nanocomposites and methods of making hollow nanoparticles and nanocomposites > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,040,157 B2 - Document ID: US9040157B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/161,251 - Filed: 2011-06-15 - Published: 2011-12-22 - Granted: 2015-05-26 - Earliest claimed: 2010-06-16 - Assignees: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System - Applicants: Yaowu Hao; Chien-Wen Huang - Inventors: Yaowu Hao; Chien-Wen Huang - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9040157B2 ## CPC - B01J 13/02: Making microcapsules or microballoons {(for medical preparations A61K9/50)} - A61K 49/0065: {the luminescent/fluorescent agent having itself a special physical form, e.g. gold nanoparticle} - A61K 49/0093: {Nanoparticle, nanocapsule, nanobubble, nanosphere, nanobead, i.e. having a size or diameter smaller than 1 micrometer, e.g. polymeric nanoparticle} - A61K 49/183: {having a (super)(para)magnetic core coated or functionalised with an inorganic material or being composed of an inorganic material entrapping the MRI-active nucleus, e.g. silica core doped with a MRI-active nucleus} - A61K 51/1251: {micro- or nanospheres, micro- or nanobeads, micro- or nanocapsules} - B22F 1/054: Nanosized particles - B22F 1/0549: {Hollow particles, including tubes and shells} - B22F 1/18: Non-metallic particles coated with metal - B22F 9/00: Making metallic powder or suspensions thereof - B82Y 30/00: Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites - C09B 63/00: Lakes - Y10T 428/2982: Particulate matter [e.g., sphere, flake, etc.] - Y10T 428/2984: Microcapsule with fluid core [includes liposome] - Y10T 428/2989: Microcapsule with solid core [includes liposome] - B01J: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS - A61K: PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES (devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms A61J3/00; chemical aspects of, or use of materials for deodorisation of air, for disinfection or sterilisation, or for bandages, dressings, absorbent pads or surgical articles A61L; soap compositions C11D) - B22F: WORKING METALLIC POWDER; MANUFACTURE OF ARTICLES FROM METALLIC POWDER; MAKING METALLIC POWDER (making alloys by powder metallurgy C22C); APPARATUS OR DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR METALLIC POWDER - B82Y: SPECIFIC USES OR APPLICATIONS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MEASUREMENT OR ANALYSIS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MANUFACTURE OR TREATMENT OF NANOSTRUCTURES - C09B: ORGANIC DYES OR CLOSELY-RELATED COMPOUNDS FOR PRODUCING DYES {, e.g. PIGMENTS}; MORDANTS; LAKES (fermentation or enzyme using processes to synthesise a desired chemical compound C12P) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract In one aspect, hollow nanoparticles are described herein. In some embodiments, a hollow nanoparticle comprises a metal shell and a cavity substantially defined by the shell, wherein the shell has a thickness greater than or equal to about 5 nm and the cavity has a curved surface. In another aspect, methods of making hollow nanoparticles are described herein. In some embodiments, a method of making hollow nanoparticles comprises forming a plurality of gas bubbles and forming a shell on the surface of at least one of the plurality of gas bubbles, wherein at least one of the gas bubbles is electrochemically generated. In another aspect, composite particles are described herein. In some embodiments, a composite particle comprises at least one nanoparticle and a polycrystalline metal shell substantially encapsulating at least one nanoparticle, wherein at least one surface of at least one nanoparticle is not in contact with the shell. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A hollow metal nanoparticle comprising: a polycrystalline metal shell; and a cavity substantially defined by the shell, wherein: the shell has a thickness greater than or equal to about 5 nm; the shell has pores ranging in size from about 0.5 nm to about 3 nm disposed about substantially the entire surface of the shell; the shell is formed from a plurality of grains having a grain size between about 3 nm and 8 nm; the cavity has a curved surface; and the nanoparticle has a surface roughness between about 3 nm and 8 nm. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The hollow metal nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein the cavity has a diameter of about 50 nm. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The hollow metal nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein the nanoparticle is substantially spherical and has a diameter of about 60 nm to about 150 nm. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The hollow metal nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein the shell has a thickness of about 8 nm to about 45 nm. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The hollow nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein the nanoparticle exhibits a surface plasmon resonance peak between about 600 nm and about 900 nm. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The hollow nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein the nanoparticle exhibits a surface plasmon resonance peak between about 600 nm and about 750 nm. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The hollow metal nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein the shell comprises Au. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The hollow metal nanoparticle of claim 1 further comprising at least one second nanoparticle at least partially disposed in the cavity defined by the metal shell. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The hollow metal nanoparticle of claim 8, wherein the at least one second nanoparticle comprises doped Fe3O4 comprising one or more of 64Cu, 89Zr, 11C, 18F, and 67Ga. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The hollow metal nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein the cavity comprises one or more of a gas, a nanoparticle, a therapeutic agent, an enzyme, a catalyst, and a dye. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The hollow metal nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein the cavity comprises a therapeutic agent. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The hollow metal nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein the nanoparticle further comprises one or more species associated with an outer surface of the nanoparticle. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The hollow metal nanoparticle of claim 12, wherein a first species associated with an outer surface comprises a Raman active species and forms a first layer and a second species associated with the outer surface comprises a polyethylene glycol moiety and forms a second layer, wherein the second layer substantially surrounds the first layer. ### Claim 14 A composite particle comprising: at least one nanoparticle; and a polycrystalline metal shell substantially encapsulating the at least one nanoparticle and formed from a plurality of grains having a grain size between about 3 nm and 8 nm, wherein the metal shell has a thickness of about 10 nm to about 200 nm, a surface roughness between about 3 nm and about 8 nm, and pores ranging in size from about 0.5 nm to about 3 nm about substantially the entire surface of the shell, and wherein at least one surface of the at least one nanoparticle is not in contact with the shell. ### Claim 15 A hollow metal nanoparticle comprising: a polycrystalline metal shell; and a cavity substantially defined by the shell, wherein: the shell has a thickness greater than or equal to about 5 nm; the shell is formed from a plurality of grains having a grain size between about 3 nm and 8 nm; the cavity has a curved surface and comprises a therapeutic agent within the cavity; and the nanoparticle has a surface roughness between about 3 nm and 8 nm about substantially the entire surface of the shell.