Liquid composite compositions using non-volatile liquids and nanoparticles and uses thereof
A solvent composition comprising an organic solvent; dispersed nanoparticles; and a non-volatile electrolyte.
1. A solvent composition comprising:
a) an organic solvent;
b) nanoparticles, said nanoparticles each having at least one dimension less than 25 nm and being dispersed individually in the solvent composition; and
c) a non-volatile electrolyte
wherein the nanoparticles have a surface that prevents substantial aggregation of the nanoparticles in the presence of the non-volatile electrolyte, and the solvent composition contains at least 20 wt. % of the dispersed nanoparticles.
2. A composition according to claim 1 wherein said non-volatile electrolyte comprises an ionic liquid.
3. A composition according to claim 1 wherein non-volatile electrolyte comprises a poly(glycol).
4. A composition according to claim 1 wherein said organic solvent is a polar organic solvent.
5. A composition according to claim 1 wherein said nanoparticles have a surface with a pH of below 7 when in water.
6. A composition according to claim 1 , wherein said nanoparticles comprise acidic silicon dioxide.
7. A composition according to claim 1 , wherein said nanoparticles comprise a core and a shell, and said shell comprises silicon dioxide.
8. A composition according to claim 7 , wherein said core is a material different from the shell.
9. A composition according to claim 1 further comprising at least one reactive agent.
10. A composition according to claim 9 wherein said reactive agent is a crosslinking agent.
11. A composition according to claim 9 wherein said reactive agent is a monomer.
12. The composition according to claim 1 wherein at least some of the organic solvent is removed to form an electrolyte composition.
13. The electrolyte composition according to claim 12 wherein the composition is a single phase liquid or homogeneous gel.
14. The composition according to claim 13 wherein the single phase liquid or homogeneous gel contains at least about 40 wt. % of the dispersed nanoparticles.
15. A composition according to claim 1 , wherein said nanoparticles have at least one dimension in the range of 10 - 15 nm.