Multi-component particles comprising inorganic nanoparticles distributed in an organic matrix and processes for making and using same
Multi-component particles comprising inorganic nanoparticles distributed in an organic matrix and processes for making and using same. A flowing aerosol is generated that includes droplets of a precursor medium dispersed in a gas phase. The precursor medium contains a liquid vehicle and at least one precursor. At least a portion of the liquid vehicle is removed from the droplets of precursor medium under conditions effective to convert the precursor to the nanoparticles or the matrix and form the multi-component particles.
1. A process for making multi-component particles comprising inorganic nanoparticles distributed in an organic matrix, the process comprising the steps of:
(a) generating an aerosol comprising droplets, wherein the droplets comprise a liquid vehicle, an inorganic nanoparticle precursor and an organic matrix precursor; and
(b) removing at least a portion of the liquid vehicle from the droplets under conditions effective to convert at least a portion of the organic matrix precursor to the organic matrix and to convert at least a portion of the inorganic nanoparticle precursor to the inorganic nanoparticles distributed in the organic matrix.
2. The process of claim 1 , wherein step (b) comprises heating the droplets to a maximum temperature of from about 50° C. to about 800° C. for a period of time of at least 1 second.
3. The process of claim 1 , wherein the droplets further comprise a reducing agent and wherein step (b) comprises reacting the reducing agent with the inorganic nanoparticle precursor to form the inorganic nanoparticles.
4. The process of claim 1 , wherein the liquid vehicle is a reducing agent and wherein step (b) comprises reacting the liquid vehicle with the inorganic nanoparticle precursor to form the inorganic nanoparticles.
5. The process of claim 1 , wherein the aerosol comprises the droplets distributed in a gas phase, the gas phase comprising a reducing agent, and wherein step (b) comprises reacting the reducing agent with the inorganic nanoparticle precursor to form the inorganic nanoparticles.
6. The process of claim 1 , wherein the aerosol comprises droplets, the droplets comprising the inorganic nanoparticle precursor and/ or a reducing agent.
7. The process of claim 1 , wherein the process further comprises the step of:
(c) collecting the multi-component particles in a liquid medium.
8. A process for making multi-component particles comprising inorganic nanoparticles dispersed in an organic matrix, the process comprising the steps of:
(a) generating an aerosol comprising droplets dispersed in a gas phase, wherein the droplets comprise a liquid vehicle, the inorganic nanoparticles and an organic matrix precursor; and
(b) removing at least a portion of the liquid vehicle from the droplets under conditions effective to convert at least a portion of the organic matrix precursor to the organic matrix and to disperse the inorganic nanoparticles within the matrix.
9. The process of claim 8 , wherein step (b) comprises heating the droplets to a maximum temperature of from about 50° C. to about 800° C. for a period of time of at least 1 second.
10. The process of claim 8 , wherein the droplets further comprise a reducing agent and wherein step (b) comprises reacting the reducing agent with the organic matrix precursor to form the matrix.
11. The process of claim 8 , wherein the liquid vehicle is a reducing agent and wherein step (b) comprises reacting the liquid vehicle with the organic matrix precursor to form the matrix.
12. The process of claim 8 , wherein the aerosol comprises the droplets distributed in a gas phase, the gas phase comprising a reducing agent, and wherein step (b) comprises reacting the reducing agent with the organic matrix precursor to form the matrix.
13. The process of claim 8 , wherein the process further comprises the step of:
(c) collecting the multi-component particles in a liquid medium.
14. The process of claim 13 , wherein the process further comprises the step of:
(d) quenching the multi-component particles within about 0.001 seconds of step (c).
15. A process for making multi-component particles comprising inorganic nanoparticles dispersed in an organic matrix, the process comprising the steps of:
(a) generating an aerosol comprising droplets dispersed in a gas phase, wherein the droplets comprise a liquid vehicle, an inorganic nanoparticle precursor and an organic matrix precursor;
(b) removing at least a portion of the liquid vehicle from the droplets;
(c) converting the organic matrix precursor to the organic matrix; and
(d) converting the inorganic nanoparticle precursor to the inorganic nanoparticles distributed within the organic matrix.
16. The process of claim 15 , wherein steps (b), (c) and (d) occur simultaneously.
17. The process of claim 15 , wherein step (b) occurs, at least in part, before steps (c) and (d).
18. The process of claim 15 , wherein step (c) occurs, at least in part, before step (d).
19. The process of claim 15 , wherein step (d) occurs, at least in part, before step (c).