Method of producing metal-containing particles
A method of producing metal-containing particles. The metal-containing particles are micro-sized and/or nano-sized particles. The particles may have anti-microbial properties depending on the metal used. For embodiments wherein silver is used, the particles may also provide and-fungal properties, anti-static properties, electromagnetic interference shielding, and/or conductive properties. The particles may range in size from about 0.01 to about 300 μm.
1 . A method of making metal-containing particles comprising:
forming a solution of a metal in a solvent;
mixing the metal solution with an alkali solution to form a precipitate containing the metal;
separating the precipitate; and
drying the precipitate to form the metal-containing particles.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the metal is selected from silver, copper, nickel, zinc, aluminum, or a combination thereof.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the metal is silver.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein metal-containing particles range in size from about 0.01 μm to about 300 μm.
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein metal containing particles range in size from about 1 μm to about 300 μm.
6 . The method of claim 4 , wherein metal-containing particles range in size from about 0.01 μm to about 1 μm.
7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of rinsing the precipitate with water prior to drying.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the solution of a metal in a solvent comprises silver nitrate powder dissolved it in water.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the amount of silver nitrate in grams per liter of water is from about 3 to about 500.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the amount of silver nitrate in grams per liter of water is from about 100 to about 200.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the alkali solution is selected from sodium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, or a combination thereof.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the alkali solution is sodium hydroxide.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the sodium hydroxide solution is a 50% (v/v) sodium hydroxide solution.
14 . A particle made by the method of claim 1 .
15 . The particle of claim 1 , wherein the metal is selected from silver, copper, nickel, zinc, aluminum, or a combination thereof.
16 . The particle of claim 15 , wherein the metal is silver.
17 . The particle of claim 14 , wherein metal-containing particles range in size from about 0.01 μm to about 300 μm.
18 . The particle of claim 17 , wherein metal-containing particles range in size from about 1 μm to about 300 μm.
19 . The particle of claim 17 , wherein metal-containing particles range in size from about 0.01 μm to about 1 μm.
20 . A silver hydroxide particle comprising:
silver complexed with a hydroxide;
wherein the particle is from about 0.01 μm to about 300 μm in diameter.