Polymer-supported metal nanoparticles, process for production thereof and polymeric nanoreactors produced therefrom
AssigneeHer Majesty the Queen in right of Canada
InventorsCecile Malardier-Jugroot, Michael Nelson Groves, Manish Jugroot
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Abstract
A process for producing polymer-supported metal nanoparticles involves confinement of metal nanoparticles in polymeric nanotubes or nanosheets in an aqueous environment using hydrophobic reactants. Metal nanoparticles supported in the polymeric nanotubes or nanosheets are substantially monodisperse and have an average particle size of 4 nm or less. The polymer-supported metal nanoparticles are useful in fuel cells, sensors, bioanalysis, biological labeling or semi-conductors, especially as catalysts.
Claims8
A process for producing polymer-supported metal nanoparticles comprising:
- mixing a hydrophobic metal precursor compound in an aqueous non-reducing solvent in the presence of an organic polymer that self-organizes into nanotubes or nanosheets, the nanotubes or nanosheets confining the metal precursor compound therein;
- and, allowing the metal precursor compound to reduce within the nanotubes or nanosheets without addition of reducing agent to form metal nanoparticles confined in the nanotubes or nanosheets.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.