Porous metal oxide and metal oxide-organic nanocomposites, methods of making and uses thereof
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of California
InventorsDavid Kisailus, Nichola Kinsinger
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Abstract
The disclosure provides relates to compositions and methods for water treatment. It also addresses a method for synthesizing TiO2 (and other metal oxides) with or without dopants. This method enables control over size, phase, morphology and porosity and specific surface area of these materials. The disclosure also provides metal oxide composites that can be used in photocatalysts, photovoltaics, energy storage materials (e.g., Li-ion anodes), and solar hydrogen applications.
Claims14
A method for fabricating a metal-organic composite having a defined size and geometry, comprising:
- reacting a precursor for a compound with an organic dispersing agent in a solvent so as to obtain a metal-organic composite comprising a nanostructure that includes the compound cross-linked by the dispersing agent, wherein the compound is selected from the group consisting of metal oxides, metal sulfides, metal selenides, metal tellurides, metal nitrides, metal phosphides, and metal arsenides, and wherein the reaction is carried out at a pH from 6 to 11, at a temperature from 25° C. to 250° C. and at a pressure from 14 to 150 psi;
- and
- extruding and/or machining the metal-organic composite to have a defined size and geometry;
- drying the metal-organic composite by using a critical point dryer or by heating the composite in a drying oven;
- and
- heating the metal-organic composite at a temperature greater than 300° C. to partially or fully pyrolyze the dispersing agent.
A method for fabricating a substrate coated with a metal-organic composite, comprising:
- mixing a precursor for a compound with a dispersing agent in a solvent so as to obtain a metal-organic composite comprising a nanostructure that includes the compound cross-linked by the dispersing agent, the compound being selected from a group consisting of metal oxides, metal sulfides, metal selenides, metal tellurides, metal nitrides, metal phosphides, and metal arsenides, and
- wherein the reaction is carried out at a pH from 6 to 11 and at a temperature from 25° C. to 250° C.;
- coating a substrate with the metal-organic composite, and
- heating the metal-organic composite at a temperature greater than 300° C. to partially or fully pyrolyze the dispersing agent.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.