Systems and methods for producing metal clusters; functionalized surfaces; and droplets including solvated metal ions
AssigneePurdue Research Foundation
InventorsRobert Graham Cooks, Anyin Li, Qingjie Luo
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Abstract
The invention generally relates to systems and methods for producing metal clusters; functionalized surfaces; and droplets including solvated metal ions. In certain aspects, the invention provides methods that involve providing a metal and a solvent. The methods additionally involve applying voltage to the solvated metal to thereby produce solvent droplets including ions of the metal containing compound, and directing the solvent droplets including the metal ions to a target. In certain embodiments, once at the target, the metal ions can react directly or catalyze reactions.
Claims18
A method for providing droplets comprising metal ions, the method comprising:
- contacting a solvent to a metal to produce solvated metal ions;
- applying voltage to produce solvent droplets comprising the solvated metal ions;
- and
- directing the solvent droplets comprising the solvated metal ions to a reactive surface.
A method for providing droplets comprising metal ions, the method comprising:
- contacting a solvent to a metal to produce solvated metal ions;
- applying voltage to produce solvent droplets comprising the solvated metal ions;
- and
- directing the solvent droplets comprising the solvated metal ions to a reaction mixture.
A method for producing metal containing nanoparticles, the method comprising:
- providing a metal containing anode in contact with a solvent to produce solvated metal ions;
- applying voltage to the anode, thereby producing solvent droplets comprising solvated metal ions;
- directing the solvent droplets comprising the solvated metal ions to a reactive surface, wherein interaction of the solvated metal ions with the reactive surface produces metallic nanoparticles.
A system for producing metal containing nanoparticles, the system comprising:
- a droplet emitter comprises a metal containing anode and a solvent vessel operably coupled to the anode;
- a high voltage source coupled to the droplet emitter;
- and
- a reactive surface positioned to receive droplets comprising metal ions produced by the droplet emitter, wherein the reactive surface is functionalized to reduce solvated metal ions that interact with the surface to thereby produce metal containing nanoparticles on the surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.