Continuous process for the production of nano-scale metal particles

Abstract

A continuous process for producing nano-scale metal particles includes feeding at least one decomposable moiety selected from the group consisting of organometallic compounds, metal complexes, metal coordination compounds and mixtures thereof into a reactor vessel; exposing the decomposable moiety to a source of energy sufficient to decompose the moiety and produce nano-scale metal particles; and depositing or collecting the nano-scale metal particles.

1 . A process for producing nano-scale metal particles, comprising: 
 a) continuously feeding at least one decomposable moiety selected from the group consisting of organometallic compounds, metal complexes, metal coordination compounds and mixtures thereof into a reactor vessel;    b) exposing the decomposable moiety to a source of energy sufficient to decompose the moiety and produce nano-scale metal particles; and    c) depositing or collecting the nano-scale metal particles.    
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the temperature within the reactor vessel is no greater than about 250° C.  
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 2 , wherein a vacuum is maintained within the reactor vessel of no less than about 1 mm.  
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 2 , wherein a pressure of no greater than about 2000 mm is maintained with the reactor vessel.  
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the reactor vessel is formed of a material which is relatively transparent to the energy supplied by the source of energy, as compared to either a support or a collector on which the nano-scale metal particles are deposited or collected or the decomposable moieties.  
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 2 , where the source of energy comprises a source of heat.  
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 6 , wherein the nano-scale metal particles are deposited on a support.  
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 7 , wherein the support has incorporated therein a resistance heater.  
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 8 , wherein the source of energy comprises a heat lamp.  
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 6 , which further comprises cooling the reactor vessel.  
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the support is the end use substrate for the nano-scale metal particles.  
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 11 , wherein the support comprises a component of an automotive catalytic converter.  
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the support or collector is positioned within the reactor vessel.  
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the support or collector is disposed external to the reactor vessel.  
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 14 , wherein the collector is a cyclonic collector.  
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein oxygen is fed into the reactor vessel to partially oxidize the nano-scale metal particles produced by decomposition of the decomposable moiety.  
     
     
         17 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein a reducing material is fed into the reactor vessel to reduce the potential for oxidation of the decomposable moiety.