Novel Hydrogen-Evolving Polymer-Capped Aluminum Nanoparticles, Composites, and Methods of Synthesis Using Lithium Aluminum Hydride
In some aspects, the present disclosure also provides new Al—Li 3 AlH 6 nanocomposite materials, as well as methods of using LiAlH 4 to produce Al nanoparticles, Li 3 AlH 6 nanoparticles, or Al—Li 3 AlH 6 nanocomposite materials.
1 . A nanomaterial comprising a homogenous mixture of lithium alanate nanoparticles comprising a nanoparticle core diameter from about 20 to about 40 nm and aluminum nanoparticles comprising a nanoparticle core diameter from about 15 to about 40 nm.
2 . The nanomaterial of claim 1 , wherein the nanomaterial comprises a powder x-ray diffraction pattern with a peak of highest intensity at about 38.4 ° 2θ.
3 . The nanomaterial claim 1 , wherein the powder x-ray diffraction pattern further comprises peaks at about 21.9, 22.5, 31.7, 39.8, 44.7, 50.6, 51.5, 60.5, 61.4, 62.6, 65.1, 66.1, 78.2, and 82.4° 2θ.
4 . (canceled)
5 . The nanomaterial of claim 1 , wherein the nanomaterial further comprises an alkyl polymer coating.
6 .- 11 . (canceled)
12 . A method of producing aluminum containing nanoparticles comprising:
a) dissolving lithium aluminum hydride in a solvent; and
b) admixing a titanium compound to the lithium aluminum hydride.
13 .- 14 . (canceled)
15 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the solvent is heated to reflux.
16 .- 18 . (canceled)
19 . The method of claim 12 ,
wherein the method is performed under an inert atmosphere.
20 .- 21 . (canceled)
22 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising:
c) adding a capping agent to the reaction.
23 . The nanomaterial of claim 22 , wherein the capping agent is an alkene (C≦30) , substituted alkene (C≦30) , an epoxide (C≦30) , or a substituted epoxide (C≦30) .
24 . The nanomaterial of claim 22 , wherein the capping agent undergoes polymerization to form a polymer coating on the nanoparticle.
25 .- 28 . (canceled)
29 . The method of claim 23 , wherein the capping agent is 1,7-octadiene, 1,9-decadiene, or 1,13-tetradecadiene.
30 .- 36 . (canceled)
37 . The method according to of claim 12 , wherein the solvent is a mixture of toluene and diethyl ether.
38 . (canceled)
39 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the titanium compound is a titanium(IV) tetraalkoxylate.
40 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the titanium compound is titanium(IV) isopropoxide.
41 . (canceled)
42 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the aluminum containing nanoparticles comprises a mixture of Al nanoparticles and Li 3 AlH 6 nanoparticles.
43 .- 44 . (canceled)
45 . The method of claim 42 , further comprising separating the Al nanoparticles and the Li 3 AlH 6 nanoparticles by rinsing with an alcohol (C≦12) .
46 .- 58 . (canceled)
59 . A method of using the nanomaterial or the nanoparticle of claim 1 in a fuel cell or adding the nanomaterial or the nanoparticle to a fuel.
60 . The method of claim 59 , wherein the fuel cell is a hydrogen fuel cell.
61 . The method of claim 59 , wherein the nanoparticle is used to generate hydrogen gas.
62 .- 64 . (canceled)
65 . The method of claim 59 , wherein the fuel is a liquid or a solid.
66 .- 129 . (canceled)