Method of producing metal-containing particles

Abstract

A method of producing metal-containing particles. The metal-containing particles are micro-sized and/or nano-sized particles. The particles may have anti-microbial properties depending on the metal used. For embodiments wherein silver is used, the particles may also provide and-fungal properties, anti-static properties, electromagnetic interference shielding, and/or conductive properties. The particles may range in size from about 0.01 to about 300 μm.

1 . A method of making metal-containing particles comprising: 
 forming a solution of a metal in a solvent;    mixing the metal solution with an alkali solution to form a precipitate containing the metal;    separating the precipitate; and    drying the precipitate to form the metal-containing particles.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the metal is selected from silver, copper, nickel, zinc, aluminum, or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the metal is silver.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein metal-containing particles range in size from about 0.01 μm to about 300 μm.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein metal containing particles range in size from about 1 μm to about 300 μm.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein metal-containing particles range in size from about 0.01 μm to about 1 μm.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of rinsing the precipitate with water prior to drying.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the solution of a metal in a solvent comprises silver nitrate powder dissolved it in water.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the amount of silver nitrate in grams per liter of water is from about 3 to about 500.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the amount of silver nitrate in grams per liter of water is from about 100 to about 200.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the alkali solution is selected from sodium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the alkali solution is sodium hydroxide.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the sodium hydroxide solution is a 50% (v/v) sodium hydroxide solution.  
     
     
         14 . A particle made by the method of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         15 . The particle of  claim 1 , wherein the metal is selected from silver, copper, nickel, zinc, aluminum, or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         16 . The particle of  claim 15 , wherein the metal is silver.  
     
     
         17 . The particle of  claim 14 , wherein metal-containing particles range in size from about 0.01 μm to about 300 μm.  
     
     
         18 . The particle of  claim 17 , wherein metal-containing particles range in size from about 1 μm to about 300 μm.  
     
     
         19 . The particle of  claim 17 , wherein metal-containing particles range in size from about 0.01 μm to about 1 μm.  
     
     
         20 . A silver hydroxide particle comprising: 
 silver complexed with a hydroxide;    wherein the particle is from about 0.01 μm to about 300 μm in diameter.