[nanoPost] Synthesis of encapsulated metal nanoparticles for dispersion in liquid media and vis

Modification of liquid media by metal nanoparticles encapsulated in an organic shell is suggested. Possible applications include magnetic liquids, heat-carrying liquids and lubricants based on metal nanoparticles. The organic protecting shell is inert, which makes it attractive for biomedical applications of metal nanoparticles.

The crucial stage of fabrication of a homogeneous dispersion is achieving uniform distribution of nano-additives in the medium of liquid or of a highly viscous polymer. One of possible ways to solve this problem is the formation of a covalent bond between the metal particle and the protective shell. The organic shell provides interactions on the molecular scale with the liquid phase or macromolecular chain of the polymer phase of varying viscosity.

In the proposed work this principle has been laid down for the stabilization of metal nanoparticles obtained on laboratory scale by means of metal compound pyrolysis. The organic compound serving as a shell provides formation of a polymer-metal covalent bond, and a metal nano-cluster is obtained that retains useful metal properties (e.g. magnetic).

The nature of the organic compound serving as a shell can be varied in such a way that the metal nanoparticles can be dispersed in aqueous or non-aqueous solutions. In the proposed cluster the metal (e.g. Fe) nanoparticle is protected by the organic shell from potentially aggressive effects of the liquid or polymer-containing media.

We propose to carry out an investigation aimed at solving the following problems:
Synthesis of metal nanoparticles protected by organic shells having the following specific features: ability to work as carriers of magnetic properties; ability to be dispersed in fluid media, including oleophilic, hydrophilic, polymer and other; ability to endure for a long time aggressive effects of the dispersion medium.