IP Library Granted Patent US 12,633,521
Granted Patent B2
US 12,633,521 · App. 18/625,474 · Granted May 19, 2026

Silicon nanoparticles and methods for preparing silicon nanoparticles

Inventors: Wei Xie (Everett, MA); Zhifei Li (Marlborough, MA); Roxana Trifu (Shrewsbury, MA); Harris Miller (Sharon, MA)
Assignee: Aspen Aerogels, Inc.
H01M4/364C09C1/28C09C3/12H01M4/386H01M4/587C01P2002/82C01P2004/03C01P2004/62C01P2004/64C01P2006/40H01M2004/023
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,633,521
App. No.
18/625,474
Granted
May 19, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Silicon nanoparticles and methods for preparation of silicon nanoparticles are provided. Embodiments include a method for grinding silicon. Methods include providing silicon material, providing a grinding liquid including a polar solvent, and grinding the silicon material in the presence of the grinding liquid to yield silicon nanoparticles. Grinding the silicon in the presence of the grinding liquid can chemically functionalize the silicon material as the nanoparticles are formed to provide stable chemically functionalized nanoparticles.

Claims (28)

1 . A composition comprising:

silicon particles having a diameter of between 50 nm and 500 nm, wherein a surface of the silicon particles includes bonded functional groups;

a porous three-dimensional network comprising a carbon aerogel or a carbon xerogel, wherein the silicon particles are dispersed throughout the porous three-dimensional network; and

wherein the bonded functional groups include at least one of —OH, —COOH, —C—O—C—, —NH 2 , —NHR, or combinations thereof.

2 . The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the porous three-dimensional network comprises a polyimide-derived carbon aerogel or polyimide-derived carbon xerogel.

3 . The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the bonded functional groups on the surface of the silicon particles are bonded to carbon atoms within the porous three-dimensional network.

4 . The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the bonded functional groups comprise hydroxyl, unsaturated amino, unsaturated glycol, or combinations thereof.

5 . The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the surface of the silicon particles includes covalently bonded functional groups.

6 . The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the surface of the silicon particles includes hydrogen bonded functional groups.

7 . The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the bonded functional groups on the surface of the silicon particles are covalently bonded to carbon atoms within the porous three-dimensional network.

8 . The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the bonded functional groups on the surface of the silicon particles are hydrogen bonded to carbon atoms within the porous three-dimensional network.

9 . The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the surface of the silicon particles includes silane groups.

10 . The composition according to claim 9 , wherein the silane groups comprise silicon hydride.

11 . The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the surface of the silicon particles includes silicon oxide groups.

12 . The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the silicon particles have a diameter of less than 150 nm.

13 . The composition according to claim 1 , further comprising a polar solvent compatible with a process for manufacturing aerogel materials or xerogel materials.

14 . A composition comprising:

silicon particles having a diameter of between 50 nm and 500 nm, wherein a surface of the silicon particles includes bonded functional groups;

a porous three-dimensional network comprising a carbon aerogel or a carbon xerogel, wherein the silicon particles are dispersed throughout the porous three-dimensional network; and

wherein the bonded functional groups are selected from the group consisting of isopropanol, ethylene glycol methyl ether methacrylate, polyethylene glycol methyl ether methacrylate, unsaturated glycol, hydroxide groups, allylamine, vinyl benzyl amine hydrochloride, and aminoethyl methacrylate hydrochloride.

15 . The composition according of claim 14 , wherein the porous three-dimensional network comprises a polyimide-derived carbon aerogel or a polyimide-derived carbon xerogel.

16 . The composition according to claim 14 , wherein the bonded functional groups on the surface of the silicon particles are bonded to carbon atoms within the porous three-dimensional network.

17 . The composition according to claim 14 , wherein the bonded functional groups comprise hydroxyl, unsaturated amino, unsaturated glycol, or combinations thereof.

18 . The composition according to claim 14 , wherein the surface of the silicon particles includes covalently bonded functional groups.

19 . The composition according to claim 14 , wherein the surface of the silicon particles includes hydrogen bonded functional groups.

20 . The composition according to claim 14 , wherein the functional groups on the surface of the silicon particles are covalently bonded to carbon atoms within the porous three-dimensional network.

21 . The composition according to claim 14 , wherein the functional groups on the surface of the silicon particles are hydrogen bonded to carbon atoms within the porous three-dimensional network.

22 . The composition according to claim 14 , further comprising a polar solvent compatible with a process for manufacturing aerogel materials.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 27, 2025
From: MILLER, HARRIS; TRIFU, ROXANA; XIE, WEI; LI, ZHIFEI
To: ASPEN AEROGELS, INC.
Reel/Frame 072588/0923 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 28, 2024
From: ASPEN AEROGELS, INC.; ASPEN AEROGELS RHODE ISLAND, LLC
To: MIDCAP FUNDING IV TRUST
Reel/Frame 068792/0245 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 17409077 · Aug 23, 2021
Continuation PCTUS2021046870 · Aug 20, 2021
Provisional Application 63068502 · Aug 21, 2020
Related Publication 20240274795A1 · Aug 15, 2024
References Cited (12)
US 5795559A · Pinnavaia et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 20090047773A1 · Mitchell et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20160164085A1 · Hanelt · 2016 [cited by examiner]
US 20190326589A1 · Ho · 2019 [cited by examiner]
US 20200269207A1 · Zafiropoulos et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
CN 106207142A · 2016 [cited by applicant]
WO 2013029278A1 · 2013 [cited by applicant]
WO 20180146768A1 · 2018 [cited by applicant]
WO 2018229515A1 · 2018 [cited by applicant]
WO 2020176756A1 · 2020 [cited by applicant]
Aghajamali et al. “Size and Surface Effects of Silicon Nanocrystals in Graphene Aerogel Composite Anodes for Lithium lon Batteries.” Chem. Mater. 30.21(2018): 7782-7792. [cited by applicant]
Intemational Search Report and Written Opinion issued in PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US2021/046870 dated Feb. 16, 2022. [cited by applicant]