Method for low temperature preparation of a noble metal alloy

Patent · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2002

OSTI ID:874242

Even, Jr., William R. ^[1]

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1. (Livermore, CA)

A method for producing fine, essentially contamination free, noble metal alloys is disclosed. The alloys comprise particles in a size range of 5 to 500 nm. The method comprises 1. A method for preparing a noble metal alloy at low temperature, the method comprising the steps of forming solution of organometallic compounds by dissolving the compounds into a quantity of a compatible solvent medium capable of solvating the organometallic, mixing a portion of each solution to provide a desired molarity ratio of ions in the mixed solution, adding a support material, rapidly quenching droplets of the mixed solution to initiate a solute-solvent phase separation as the solvent freezes, removing said liquid cryogen, collecting and freezing drying the frozen droplets to produce a dry powder, and finally reducing the powder to a metal by flowing dry hydrogen over the powder while warming the powder to a temperature of about 150.degree. C.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• Assignee: Sandia National Laboratories (Livermore, CA)
• Patent Number(s): US 6348431
• OSTI ID: 874242
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

method
temperature
preparation
noble
metal
alloy
producing
fine
essentially
contamination
free
alloys
disclosed
particles
size
range
500
nm
preparing
comprising
steps
forming
solution
organometallic
compounds
dissolving
quantity
compatible
solvent
medium
capable
solvating
mixing
portion
provide
molarity
ratio
mixed
adding
support
material
rapidly
quenching
droplets
initiate
solute-solvent
phase
separation
freezes
removing
liquid
cryogen
collecting
freezing
drying
frozen
produce
dry
powder
finally
reducing
flowing
hydrogen
warming
150degree
noble metal
metal alloy
organometallic compound
/502/