Production Of Chain Agglomerations Of Nano-Scale Metal Particles

Abstract

A process and apparatus for producing chain agglomerations of 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 deposit or collection of chain agglomerations of nano-scale metal particles.

1 . A process for producing chain agglomerations of nano-scale metal particles, comprising:
 a) providing a reactor vessel;   b) 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;   c) exposing the decomposable moiety to a source of energy sufficient to decompose the moiety and produce chain agglomerations of nano-scale metal particles wherein the chain agglomerations have an aspect ratio of at least about 700:1.   
     
     
         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 Hg. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 1 , where the source of energy comprises a source of heat. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the nano-scale metal particles are deposited on a support. 
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein a support or collector is positioned within the reactor vessel. 
     
     
         7 . 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. 
     
     
         8 . 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. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the source of energy comprises a resistance heater. 
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 10 , wherein the pressure of the moiety is no greater than 80 mm Hg. 
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 11 , which further comprises feeding an inert gas into the reactor vessel at a partial pressure of less than about 700 mm Hg. 
     
     
         13 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one decomposable moiety comprises a metal carbonyl. 
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the reactor vessel is maintained at a pressure of no less than 1 mm Hg.