Synthesis of Ultrasmall Metal Oxide Nanoparticles
- Detailed Technology Description
- None
- *Abstract
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Synthesisof Ultrasmall Metal Oxide Nanoparticles
Challenge
Transition metal oxidesdisplay chemical and physical properties that make them attractive candidatesfor use in catalytic, electrochromic, and sensing applications. The increasing emphasis on miniaturization,however, demands these materials be produced with high purity in well-definedparticle structures. Metal oxidenanoparticles are expected to provide these requisite morphologies and increaseperformance relative to their bulk materials. The unique surface chemistries of nanoparticles can give rise to a numberof size-dependent properties not observed beyond the nanoscale. Current methods for the preparation of these nanoparticlesrely on organometallic precursors and are limited to the generation of largerstructures such as nanorods.
Solution
Riceresearchers report a novel route to ultrasmall metal oxide nanoparticles. This route allows facile entry tonanoparticles with approximately 20-40 metal atoms per cluster and sizes < 2nm. This method also offers fine controlover particle dimensions and the ability to dope the particles with a desiredratio of different metals. Such controlover the synthesis of these nanoparticles provides the ability to selectivelytailor them to specific applications in a variety of fields.
Benefitsand features
- More economical than conventional routes
- Method can produce ultrasmall to larger rod-shaped metal oxide nanostructures, depending on reaction conditions
- Resulting nanoparticles can be selectively doped using this procedure
- Method has been demonstrated for a variety of metal oxides, such as oxides of tungsten, molybdenum, and vanadium.
- Method can be potentially extended to the synthesis of nanoparticles of mixed metal oxides
MarketPotential / Applications
Ultrasmallmetal oxide nanoparticles have potential utility as catalysts in the petroleumindustry, environmental remediation, and fine chemical synthesis. The ability to selectively dope the metaloxide structure with other metals is of particular interest in catalyticapplications because the material can thereby be tuned for the formation of aspecific product.
Otherapplications include those in the energy storage/conversion and electrochromicsensing fields.
Development and LicensingStatus
This technology is availablefor licensing from Rice University.
Aworking prototype has been developed for this invention.
RiceResearcher
Michael S. Wong is Professorin the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department and the ChemistryDepartment at Rice University. He servesas Associate Editor of the Journal ofNanomaterials and Editorial Board Member of Chemistry of Materials. His research interests encompassnanostructured materials chemistry, heterogeneous catalysis, water cleanup, andencapsulation/delivery applications.
TechnologyRelevant Papers and Web Links
APCT patent application for this invention has been published (WO 2012/009070) .
Wongwebsite: http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~wonglab/index.html
Case# 2010-078
KeyWords:nanoparticles, catalysis, metal oxides,
Inquiriesto:
Luba Pacala, lpacala@rice.edu, (713) 348-5590
Chance Rainwater, crainwater@rice.edu, (713) 348-4106
- Country/Region
- USA
