Novel Microwave - Polyol Process for Nanophase Metals

Pennsylvania State Univ University Park, University Park PA

Investigators

Abstract

0096527 Komarneni This research examines the phenomenon of microwave-assisted reactions in the liquid state to synthesize nanophase metal powders, such as Cu, Ni, Pt, Pd, Au, and Ag. This novel microwave-polyol process reduces metal hydroxides or other salts with ethylene glycol, which serves as a solvent as well as a reducing agent. Preliminary results show that nanophase metal powders can be produced rapidly by microwave catalysis. The synthesis of nanophase metal powders associated kinetics are investigated for this technique, and the results are compared to the conventional refluxing process in ethylene glycol at 195 degrees C. Heterogeneous and homogeneous nuclei are added during microwave-polypol processing to better understand the nucleation and growth steps. %%% Monodisperse metal powders are expected to be valuable in conductive inks and in pastes that could be employed for a variety of applications such as electronic thick film technology. ***