Mechanical shear based synthesis of alumoxane nanoparticles
A method for forming carboxylate-alumoxane nanoparticles comprises subjecting a mixture comprising boehmite and carboxylic acid to mechanical shear. The method can be carried out at a temperature above ambient and preferably a temperature greater than 80° C., and can be carried out in the absence of a liquid phase.
1. A method for forming carboxylate-alumoxane nanoparticles, comprising:
subjecting a mixture comprising boehmite and carboxylic acid to mechanical shear in the substantial absence of a solvent.
2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the method is carried out at a temperature above ambient.
3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the method is carried out at a temperature greater than 80° C.
4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the method is carried out substantially in the absence of a liquid phase.
5. The method according to claim 1 wherein the carboxylate-alumoxane particles are formed within two hours of initiation of shear application.
6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the carboxylate-alumoxane particles are formed within one hour of initiation of shear application.
7. The method according to claim 1 wherein the mixture is heated by the application of heat from an external source.
8. The method according to claim 1 wherein the carboxylic acid is selected from the group consisting of an aliphatic carboxylic acid, an aromatic carboxylic acid, and a carboxylic acid containing an additional chemically reactive functional group.
9. The method according to claim 1 wherein the mixture is subjected to mechanical shear by passing it through a tube at a linear velocity of at least about 1,000 ft/min.
10. The method according to claim 1 wherein the mixture is subjected to mechanical shear by passing it through a device comprising a rotor and a stator.
11. The method according to claim 1 wherein the carboxylate-alumoxane nanoparticles have an average size of less than 200 nm.
12. The method according to claim 1 wherein the carboxylate-alumoxane nanoparticles have a size distribution such that the particle size range is ±20% of the average size.
13. The method according to claim 1 wherein the method is carried out at a temperature greater than 80° C. and the carboxylate-alumoxane particles are formed within two hours of initiation of shear application.
14. The method according to claim 13 wherein the carboxylate-alumoxane particles are formed within 30 minutes of initiation of shear application.