Multi-component particles comprising inorganic nanoparticles distributed in an organic matrix and processes for making and using same

Abstract

Multi-component particles comprising inorganic nanoparticles distributed in an organic matrix and processes for making and using same. A flowing aerosol is generated that includes droplets of a precursor medium dispersed in a gas phase. The precursor medium contains a liquid vehicle and at least one precursor. At least a portion of the liquid vehicle is removed from the droplets of precursor medium under conditions effective to convert the precursor to the nanoparticles or the matrix and form the multi-component particles.

1 . A plurality of multi-component particles, each particle comprising: 
 a plurality of inorganic nanoparticles distributed in an organic matrix, wherein the plurality of multi-component particles has a d50 particle diameter, based on volume, of greater than about 0.1 μm and less than about 150 μm.    
   
   
       2 . The particles of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of multi-component particles are substantially spherical.  
   
   
       3 . The particles of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of multi-component particles has a d50 particle diameter, based on volume, of greater than about 0.5 μm and less than about 25 μm.  
   
   
       4 . The particles of  claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticles have a number average particle diameter of from about 10 nm to about 150 nm.  
   
   
       5 . The particles of  claim 1 , wherein a majority of the multi-component particles have a morphology that is hollow, rod, flake or platelet.  
   
   
       6 . The particles of  claim 1 , wherein a majority of the inorganic nanoparticles have a morphology that is spherical, hollow, rod, flake, platelet, cubed or trigonal.  
   
   
       7 . The particles of  claim 1 , wherein the inorganic nanoparticles comprise one or more of silver, copper, nickel, platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, cobalt, gold, iridium, or a metal oxide thereof.  
   
   
       8 . The particles of  claim 1 , wherein the organic matrix comprises one or more of a polycyclic polymer, an organic polymer, an organic salt, an organic compound, or a bioactive compound.  
   
   
       9 . The particles of  claim 1 , wherein the organic matrix comprises polyvinylpyrrolidone.  
   
   
       10 . The particles of  claim 9 , wherein the inorganic nanoparticles comprise silver.  
   
   
       11 . The particles of  claim 1 , wherein an additive is distributed within the organic matrix, the additive comprising one or more of a surfactant, a reducing agent, a fluxing agent, an adhesion promoter or a hardening agent.  
   
   
       12 . The particles of  claim 1 , wherein the matrix comprises a first matrix material and a second matrix material, the first matrix material being selectively removable from the multi-component particles relative to the second matrix material.  
   
   
       13 . The particles of  claim 1 , wherein the organic matrix has a glass transition temperature of from about 30° C. to about 400° C.  
   
   
       14 . The particles of  claim 1 , wherein the organic matrix has a melting point of from about 30° C. to about 600° C.  
   
   
       15 . The particles of  claim 1 , wherein the organic matrix has a molecular weight of from about 50 to about 1,000,000.  
   
   
       16 . The particles of  claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticles are dispersable in a liquid medium to form dispersed nanoparticles having from about 1 to about 10 monolayers disposed thereon, wherein the monolayers are formed from the organic matrix.  
   
   
       17 . The particles of  claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticles are dispersable in a liquid medium to form a dispersion having a surface tension greater than 5 dynes/cm and a viscosity greater than about 1 centipoise.  
   
   
       18 . The particles of  claim 1 , wherein the multi-component particles have a multi-modal particle size distribution.  
   
   
       19 . The particles of  claim 1 , wherein each multi-component particle comprises at least two types of inorganic nanoparticles having different compositions distributed in the matrix.  
   
   
       20 . The particles of  claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticles are coated with a surface modifying agent.  
   
   
       21 . The particles of  claim 1 , wherein the organic matrix comprises a surface-modifying material, and wherein the nanoparticles are dispersable to form a dispersion of nanoparticles comprising dispersed nanoparticles, wherein at least a portion of the surface-modifying material being disposed on and modifying a surface of the dispersed inorganic nanoparticles.  
   
   
       22 . The particles of  claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticles have a d40 particle diameter, based on volume, and a d60 particle diameter, and wherein the difference between the d60 particle diameter and the d40 particle diameter is from about 5 nm to about 50 nm.  
   
   
       23 . The particles of  claim 1 , wherein the multi-component particles have a d40 particle diameter, based on volume, and a d60 particle diameter, and wherein the difference between the d60 particle diameter and the d40 particle diameter is from about 1 μm to about 80 μm.  
   
   
       24 . The particles of  claim 1 , wherein the average distance between adjacent inorganic nanoparticles is less than the number average particle diameter of the inorganic nanoparticles.  
   
   
       25 . The particles of  claim 1 , wherein the average distance between adjacent inorganic nanoparticles is less than half the number average particle diameter of the inorganic nanoparticles.  
   
   
       26 . The particles of  claim 1 , wherein the average distance between adjacent inorganic nanoparticles is less than about 10 nm.  
   
   
       27 . The particles of  claim 1 , wherein the average distance between adjacent inorganic nanoparticles is greater than the number average particle diameter of the inorganic nanoparticles.  
   
   
       28 . The particles of  claim 1 , wherein the average distance between adjacent inorganic nanoparticles is greater than twice the number average particle diameter of the inorganic nanoparticles.  
   
   
       29 . A multi-component particle, comprising: 
 a plurality of inorganic nanoparticles distributed in an organic matrix, wherein the multi-component particle has a particle diameter of greater than about 0.1 μm and less than about 100 μm.    
   
   
       30 . The particle of  claim 29 , wherein the multi-component particle is substantially spherical.  
   
   
       31 . The particle of  claim 29 , wherein the multi-component particle has a particle diameter of greater than about 0.5 μm and less than about 25 μm.  
   
   
       32 . The particle of  claim 29 , wherein the nanoparticles have a number average particle diameter of from about 10 nm to about 150 nm.  
   
   
       33 . The particle of  claim 29 , wherein the multi-component particle has a morphology that is hollow, rod, flake or platelet.  
   
   
       34 . The particle of  claim 29 , wherein a majority of the inorganic nanoparticles have a morphology that is spherical, hollow, rod, flake, platelet, cubed or trigonal.  
   
   
       35 . The particle of  claim 29 , wherein the inorganic nanoparticles comprise one or more of silver, copper, nickel, platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, cobalt, gold, iridium, or a metal oxide thereof.  
   
   
       36 . The particle of  claim 29 , wherein the organic matrix comprises one or more of a polycyclic polymer, an organic polymer, an organic salt, an organic compound, or a bioactive compound.  
   
   
       37 . The particle of  claim 29 , wherein the organic matrix comprises polyvinylpyrrolidone.  
   
   
       38 . The particle of  claim 37 , wherein the inorganic nanoparticles comprise silver.  
   
   
       39 . The particle of  claim 29 , wherein an additive is distributed within the organic matrix, the additive comprising one or more of a surfactant, a reducing agent, a fluxing agent, an adhesion promoter or a hardening agent.  
   
   
       40 . The particle of  claim 29 , wherein the matrix comprises a first matrix material and a second matrix material, the first matrix material being selectively removable from the multi-component particles relative to the second matrix material.  
   
   
       41 . The particle of  claim 29 , wherein the organic matrix has a glass transition temperature of from about 30° C. to about 400° C.  
   
   
       42 . The particle of  claim 29 , wherein the organic matrix has a melting point of from about 30° C. to about 600° C.  
   
   
       43 . The particle of  claim 29 , wherein the organic matrix has a molecular weight of from about 50 to about 1,000,000.  
   
   
       44 . The particle of  claim 29 , wherein the nanoparticles are dispersable in a liquid medium to form dispersed nanoparticles having from about 1 to about 10 monolayers disposed thereon, wherein the monolayers are formed from the organic matrix.  
   
   
       45 . The particle of  claim 29 , wherein the nanoparticles are dispersable in a liquid medium to form a dispersion having a surface tension greater than about 5 dynes/cm and a viscosity greater than about 1 centipoise.  
   
   
       46 . The particle of  claim 29 , wherein the multi-component particle comprises at least two types of inorganic nanoparticles having different compositions distributed in the matrix.  
   
   
       47 . The particle of  claim 29 , wherein the nanoparticles are coated with a surface modifying agent.  
   
   
       48 . The particle of  claim 29 , wherein the organic matrix comprises a surface-modifying material, and wherein the nanoparticles are dispersable to form a dispersion of nanoparticles comprising dispersed nanoparticles, wherein at least a portion of the surface-modifying material is disposed on and modifies a surface of the dispersed inorganic nanoparticles.  
   
   
       49 . The particle of  claim 29 , wherein the nanoparticles have a d40 particle diameter, based on volume, and a d60 particle diameter, and wherein the difference between the d60 particle diameter and the d40 particle diameter is from about 5 nm to about 50 nm.  
   
   
       50 . The particle of  claim 29 , wherein the average distance between adjacent inorganic nanoparticles is less than the number average particle diameter of the inorganic nanoparticles.  
   
   
       51 . The particle of  claim 29 , wherein the average distance between adjacent inorganic nanoparticles is less than half the number average particle diameter of the inorganic nanoparticles.  
   
   
       52 . The particle of  claim 29 , wherein the average distance between adjacent inorganic nanoparticles is less than about 10 nm.  
   
   
       53 . The particle of  claim 29 , wherein the average distance between adjacent inorganic nanoparticles is greater than the number average particle diameter of the inorganic nanoparticles.  
   
   
       54 . The particle of  claim 29 , wherein the average distance between adjacent inorganic nanoparticles is greater than twice the number average particle diameter of the inorganic nanoparticles.  
   
   
       55 . A process for making multi-component particles comprising inorganic nanoparticles distributed in an organic matrix, the process comprising the steps of: 
 (a) generating an aerosol comprising droplets, wherein the droplets comprise a liquid vehicle, an inorganic nanoparticle precursor and an organic matrix precursor; and    (b) removing at least a portion of the liquid vehicle from the droplets under conditions effective to convert at least a portion of the organic matrix precursor to the organic matrix and to convert at least a portion of the inorganic nanoparticle precursor to the inorganic nanoparticles distributed in the organic matrix.    
   
   
       56 . The process of  claim 55 , wherein step (b) comprises heating the droplets to a maximum temperature of from about 50° C. to about 800° C. for a period of time of at least 1 second.  
   
   
       57 . The process of  claim 55 , wherein the droplets further comprise a reducing agent and wherein step (b) comprises reacting the reducing agent with the inorganic nanoparticle precursor to form the inorganic nanoparticles.  
   
   
       58 . The process of  claim 55 , wherein the liquid vehicle is a reducing agent and wherein step (b) comprises reacting the liquid vehicle with the inorganic nanoparticle precursor to form the inorganic nanoparticles.  
   
   
       59 . The process of  claim 55 , wherein the aerosol comprises the droplets distributed in a gas phase, the gas phase comprising a reducing agent, and wherein step (b) comprises reacting the reducing agent with the inorganic nanoparticle precursor to form the inorganic nanoparticles.  
   
   
       60 . The process of  claim 55 , wherein the aerosol comprises droplets, the droplets comprising the inorganic nanoparticle precursor and/or a reducing agent.  
   
   
       61 . The process of  claim 55 , wherein the process further comprises the step of: 
 (c) collecting the multi-component particles in a liquid medium.    
   
   
       62 . The process of  claim 61 , wherein the process further comprises the step of: 
 (d) quenching the multi-component particles within about 0.001 seconds of step (c).    
   
   
       63 . The process of  claim 55 , wherein the process further comprises the step of: 
 (c) contacting the multi-component particles with a liquid medium to release the nanoparticles from the matrix and form a colloidal solution.    
   
   
       64 . The process of  claim 63 , wherein the process further comprises the step of: 
 (d) surface-modifying the inorganic nanoparticles with a surface-modifying agent during or after step (c).    
   
   
       65 . The process of  claim 55 , wherein the multi-component particles have a d50 particle diameter, based on volume, of greater than about 0.1 μm and less than about 150 μm.  
   
   
       66 . The process of  claim 55 , wherein the multi-component particles have a d50 particle diameter, based on volume, of greater than about 0.5 μm and less than about 25 μm.  
   
   
       67 . The process of  claim 55 , wherein the nanoparticles have a number average particle diameter of from about 10 nm to about 150 nm.  
   
   
       68 . The process of  claim 55 , wherein a majority of the multi-component particles have a morphology that is spherical, hollow, rod, flake or platelet.  
   
   
       69 . The process of  claim 55 , wherein a majority of the nanoparticles have a morphology that is spherical, hollow, rod, flake, platelet, cubed or trigonal.  
   
   
       70 . The process of  claim 55 , wherein the inorganic nanoparticles comprise one or more of silver, copper, nickel, platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, cobalt, gold, iridium or a metal oxide thereof.  
   
   
       71 . The process of  claim 55 , wherein the organic matrix comprises one or more of a polycyclic polymer, an organic polymer, an organic salt, an organic compound, or a bioactive compound.  
   
   
       72 . The process of  claim 55 , wherein the organic matrix comprises polyvinylpyrrolidone.  
   
   
       73 . The process of  claim 72 , wherein the inorganic nanoparticles comprise silver.  
   
   
       74 . The process of  claim 55 , wherein an additive is distributed within the organic matrix, the additive comprising one or more of a surfactant, a reducing agent, a fluxing agent, an adhesion promoter or a hardening agent.  
   
   
       75 . The process of  claim 55 , wherein the matrix comprises a first matrix material and a second matrix material, the first matrix material being selectively removable from the multi-component particles relative to the second matrix material.  
   
   
       76 . The process of  claim 55 , wherein the organic matrix has a glass transition temperature of from about 30° C. to about 400° C.  
   
   
       77 . The process of  claim 55 , wherein the organic matrix has a melting point of from about 30° C. to about 600° C.  
   
   
       78 . The process of  claim 55 , wherein the organic matrix has a molecular weight of from about 50 to about 1,000,000.  
   
   
       79 . The process of  claim 55 , wherein the nanoparticles are dispersable in a liquid medium to form dispersed nanoparticles having from about 1 to about 10 monolayers disposed thereon, wherein the monolayers are formed from the organic matrix.  
   
   
       80 . The process of  claim 55 , wherein the nanoparticles are dispersable in a liquid medium to form a dispersion having a surface tension greater than about 5 dynes/cm and a viscosity greater than about 1 centipoise.  
   
   
       81 . The process of  claim 55 , wherein the multi-component particles have a multi-modal particle size distribution.  
   
   
       82 . The process of  claim 55 , wherein each multi-component particle comprises at least two types of inorganic nanoparticles having different compositions distributed in the matrix.  
   
   
       83 . The process of  claim 55 , wherein nanoparticles are coated with a surface modifying agent.  
   
   
       84 . The process of  claim 55 , wherein the organic matrix comprises a surface-modifying material, and wherein the nanoparticles are dispersable to form a dispersion of nanoparticles comprising dispersed nanoparticles, wherein at least a portion of the surface-modifying material is disposed on and modifying a surface of the dispersed inorganic nanoparticles.  
   
   
       85 . The process of  claim 55 , wherein the nanoparticles have a d40 particle diameter, based on volume, and a d60 particle diameter, and wherein the difference between the d60 particle diameter and the d40 particle diameter is from about 5 nm to about 50 nm.  
   
   
       86 . The process of  claim 55 , wherein the multi-component particles have a d40 particle diameter, based on volume, and a d60 particle diameter, and wherein the difference between the d60 particle diameter and the d40 particle diameter is from about 1 μm to about 80 μm.  
   
   
       87 . The process of  claim 55 , wherein the average distance between adjacent inorganic nanoparticles in the multi-component particles is less than the number average particle diameter of the inorganic nanoparticles.  
   
   
       88 . The process of  claim 55 , wherein the average distance between adjacent inorganic nanoparticles in the multi-component particles is less than half the number average particle diameter of the inorganic nanoparticles.  
   
   
       89 . The process of  claim 55 , wherein the average distance between adjacent inorganic nanoparticles in the multi-component particles is less than about 10 nm.  
   
   
       90 . The process of  claim 55 , wherein the average distance between adjacent inorganic nanoparticles in the multi-component particles is greater than the number average particle diameter of the inorganic nanoparticles.  
   
   
       91 . The process of  claim 55 , wherein the average distance between adjacent inorganic nanoparticles in the multi-component particles is greater than twice the number average particle diameter of the inorganic nanoparticles.  
   
   
       92 . A process for making multi-component particles comprising inorganic nanoparticles dispersed in an organic matrix, the process comprising the steps of: 
 (a) generating an aerosol comprising droplets dispersed in a gas phase, wherein the droplets comprise a liquid vehicle, the inorganic nanoparticles and an organic matrix precursor; and    (b) removing at least a portion of the liquid vehicle from the droplets under conditions effective to convert at least a portion of the organic matrix precursor to the organic matrix and to disperse the nanoparticles within the matrix.    
   
   
       93 . The process of  claim 92 , wherein step (b) comprises heating the droplets to a maximum temperature of from about 50° C. to about 800° C. for a period of time of at least 1 second.  
   
   
       94 . The process of  claim 92 , wherein the droplets further comprise a reducing agent and wherein step (b) comprises reacting the reducing agent with the organic matrix precursor to form the matrix.  
   
   
       95 . The process of  claim 92 , wherein the liquid vehicle is a reducing agent and wherein step (b) comprises reacting the liquid vehicle with the organic matrix precursor to form the matrix.  
   
   
       96 . The process of  claim 92 , wherein the aerosol comprises the droplets distributed in a gas phase, the gas phase comprising a reducing agent, and wherein step (b) comprises reacting the reducing agent with the organic matrix precursor to form the matrix.  
   
   
       97 . The process of  claim 92 , wherein the process further comprises the step of: 
 (c) collecting the multi-component particles in a liquid medium.    
   
   
       98 . The process of  claim 97 , wherein the process further comprises the step of: 
 (d) quenching the multi-component particles within about 0.001 seconds of step (c).    
   
   
       99 . The process of  claim 92 , wherein the process further comprises the step of: 
 (c) contacting the multi-component particles with a liquid medium to release the nanoparticles from the matrix and form a colloidal solution.    
   
   
       100 . The process of  claim 99 , wherein the process further comprises the step of: 
 (d) surface-modifying the inorganic nanoparticles with a surface-modifying agent during or after step (c).    
   
   
       101 . The process of  claim 92 , wherein the multi-component particles have a d50 particle diameter, based on volume, of greater than about 0.1 μm and less than about 100 μm.  
   
   
       102 . The process of  claim 92 , wherein the multi-component particles have a d50 particle diameter, based on volume, of greater than about 0.5 μm and less than about 25 μm.  
   
   
       103 . The process of  claim 92 , wherein the nanoparticles have a number average particle diameter of from about 10 nm to about 150 nm.  
   
   
       104 . The process of  claim 92 , wherein a majority of the multi-component particles have a morphology that is spherical, hollow, rod, flake or platelet.  
   
   
       105 . The process of  claim 92 , wherein a majority of the nanoparticles have a morphology that is spherical, hollow, rod, flake, platelet, cubed or trigonal.  
   
   
       106 . The process of  claim 92 , wherein the inorganic nanoparticles comprise one or more of silver, copper, nickel, platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, cobalt, gold, iridium or a metal oxide thereof.  
   
   
       107 . The process of  claim 92 , wherein the organic matrix comprises one or more of a polycyclic polymer, an organic polymer, an organic salt, an organic compound, or a bioactive compound.  
   
   
       108 . The process of  claim 92 , wherein the organic matrix comprises polyvinylpyrrolidone.  
   
   
       109 . The process of  claim 108 , wherein the inorganic nanoparticles comprise silver.  
   
   
       110 . The process of  claim 92 , wherein an additive is distributed within the organic matrix, the additive comprising one or more of a surfactant, a reducing agent, a fluxing agent, an adhesion promoter or a hardening agent.  
   
   
       111 . The process of  claim 92 , wherein the matrix comprises a first matrix material and a second matrix material, the first matrix material being selectively removable from the multi-component particles relative to the second matrix material.  
   
   
       112 . The process of  claim 92 , wherein the organic matrix has a glass transition temperature of from about 30° C. to about 400° C.  
   
   
       113 . The process of  claim 92 , wherein the organic matrix has a melting point of from about 30° C. to about 600° C.  
   
   
       114 . The process of  claim 92 , wherein the organic matrix has a molecular weight of from about 50 to about 1,000,000.  
   
   
       115 . The process of  claim 92 , wherein the nanoparticles are dispersable in a liquid medium to form dispersed nanoparticles having from about 1 to about 10 monolayers disposed thereon, wherein the monolayers are formed from the organic matrix.  
   
   
       116 . The process of  claim 92 , wherein the nanoparticles are dispersable in a liquid medium to form a dispersion having a surface tension greater than about 5 dynes/cm and a viscosity greater than about 1 centipoise.  
   
   
       117 . The process of  claim 92 , wherein the multi-component particles have a multi-modal particle size distribution.  
   
   
       118 . The process of  claim 92 , wherein each multi-component particle comprises at least two types of inorganic nanoparticles having different compositions distributed in the matrix.  
   
   
       119 . The process of  claim 92 , wherein the nanoparticles are coated with a surface modifying agent.  
   
   
       120 . The process of  claim 92 , wherein the organic matrix comprises a surface-modifying material, and wherein the nanoparticles are dispersable to form a dispersion of nanoparticles comprising dispersed nanoparticles, wherein at least a portion of the surface-modifying material is disposed on and modifies a surface of the dispersed inorganic nanoparticles.  
   
   
       121 . The process of  claim 92 , wherein the nanoparticles have a d40 particle diameter, based on volume, and a d60 particle diameter, and wherein the difference between the d60 particle diameter and the d40 particle diameter is from about 5 nm to about 50 nm.  
   
   
       122 . The process of  claim 92 , wherein the multi-component particles have a d40 particle diameter, based on volume, and a d60 particle diameter, and wherein the difference between the d60 particle diameter and the d40 particle diameter is from about 1 μm to about 80 μm.  
   
   
       123 . The process of  claim 92 , wherein the average distance between adjacent inorganic nanoparticles in the multi-component particles is less than the number average particle diameter of the inorganic nanoparticles.  
   
   
       124 . The process of  claim 92 , wherein the average distance between adjacent inorganic nanoparticles in the multi-component particles is less than half the number average particle diameter of the inorganic nanoparticles.  
   
   
       125 . The process of  claim 92 , wherein the average distance between adjacent inorganic nanoparticles in the multi-component particles is less than about 10 nm.  
   
   
       126 . The process of  claim 92 , wherein the average distance between adjacent inorganic nanoparticles in the multi-component particles is greater than the number average particle diameter of the inorganic nanoparticles.  
   
   
       127 . The process of  claim 92 , wherein the average distance between adjacent inorganic nanoparticles in the multi-component particles is greater than twice the number average particle diameter of the inorganic nanoparticles.  
   
   
       128 . A process for making multi-component particles comprising inorganic nanoparticles dispersed in an organic matrix, the process comprising the steps of: 
 (a) generating an aerosol comprising droplets dispersed in a gas phase, wherein the droplets comprise a liquid vehicle, an inorganic nanoparticle precursor and an organic matrix precursor;    (b) removing at least a portion of the liquid vehicle from the droplets;    (c) converting the organic matrix precursor to the organic matrix; and    (d) converting the inorganic nanoparticle precursor to the inorganic nanoparticles distributed within the matrix.    
   
   
       129 . The process of  claim 128 , wherein steps (b), (c) and (d) occur simultaneously.  
   
   
       130 . The process of  claim 128 , wherein step (b) occurs, at least in part, before steps (c) and (d).  
   
   
       131 . The process of  claim 128 , wherein step (c) occurs, at least in part, before step (d).  
   
   
       132 . The process of  claim 128 , wherein step (d) occurs, at least in part, before step (c).  
   
   
       133 . A process for forming a dispersion, the process comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a plurality of multi-component particles, each multi-component particle comprising a plurality of inorganic nanoparticles distributed in an organic matrix, wherein the plurality of multi-component particles has a d50 particle diameter, by volume, of greater than about 0.1 μm and less than about 150 μm; and    (b) contacting the plurality of multi-component particles with a liquid medium under conditions effective to disperse the inorganic nanoparticles from the matrix and form the dispersion.    
   
   
       134 . The process of  claim 133 , wherein the dispersion is ink jettable.  
   
   
       135 . The process of  claim 133 , wherein the dispersion comprises a colloidal solution.  
   
   
       136 . The process of  claim 133 , wherein the process further comprises the step of: 
 (c) surface-modifying the inorganic nanoparticles with a surface-modifying agent during or after step (b).    
   
   
       137 . The process of  claim 133 , wherein the multi-component particles provided in step (a) have a d50 particle diameter, by volume, of greater than about 0.5 μm and less than about 25 μm.  
   
   
       138 . The process of  claim 133 , wherein the nanoparticles have number average particle diameter of from about 10 nm to about 150 nm.  
   
   
       139 . The process of  claim 133 , wherein a majority of the multi-component particles provided in step (a) have a morphology that is spherical, hollow, rod, flake or platelet.  
   
   
       140 . The process of  claim 133 , wherein a majority of the nanoparticles have a morphology that is spherical, hollow, rod, flake, platelet, cubed or trigonal.  
   
   
       141 . The process of  claim 133 , wherein the inorganic nanoparticles comprise one or more of silver, copper, nickel, platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, cobalt, gold, iridium or a metal oxide thereof.  
   
   
       142 . The process of  claim 133 , wherein the organic matrix comprises one or more of a polycyclic polymer, an organic polymer, an organic salt, an organic compound, or a bioactive compound.  
   
   
       143 . The process of  claim 133 , wherein the organic matrix comprises polyvinylpyrrolidone.  
   
   
       144 . The process of  claim 143 , wherein the inorganic nanoparticles comprise silver.  
   
   
       145 . The process of  claim 133 , wherein an additive is distributed within the organic matrix, the additive comprising one or more of a surfactant, a reducing agent, a fluxing agent, an adhesion promoter or a hardening agent.  
   
   
       146 . The process of  claim 133 , wherein the matrix comprises a first matrix material and a second matrix material, the first matrix material being selectively removable from the multi-component particles relative to the second matrix material.  
   
   
       147 . The process of  claim 133 , wherein the organic matrix has a glass transition temperature of from about 30° C. to about 400° C.  
   
   
       148 . The process of  claim 133 , wherein the organic matrix has a melting point of from about 30° C. to about 600° C.  
   
   
       149 . The process of  claim 133 , wherein the organic matrix has a molecular weight of from about 50 to about 1,000,000.  
   
   
       150 . The process of  claim 133 , wherein the dispersed nanoparticles have from about 1 to about 10 monolayers disposed thereon, the monolayers being formed from the organic matrix.  
   
   
       151 . The process of  claim 133 , wherein the dispersion has a surface tension greater than about 5 dynes/cm and a viscosity greater than about 1 centipoise.  
   
   
       152 . The process of  claim 133 , wherein the multi-component particles provided in step (a) have a multi-modal particle size distribution.  
   
   
       153 . The process of  claim 133 , wherein the multi-component particles provided in step (a) comprises at least two types of inorganic nanoparticles having different compositions distributed in the matrix.  
   
   
       154 . The process of  claim 133 , wherein the nanoparticles are coated with a surface modifying agent.  
   
   
       155 . The process of  claim 133 , wherein the organic matrix comprises a surface-modifying material, and wherein at least a portion of the surface-modifying material is disposed on and modifies a surface of the dispersed inorganic nanoparticles.  
   
   
       156 . The process of  claim 133 , wherein the nanoparticles have a d40 particle diameter, based on volume, and a d60 particle diameter, and wherein the difference between the d60 particle diameter and the d40 particle diameter is from about 5 nm to about 50 nm.  
   
   
       157 . The process of  claim 133 , wherein the multi-component particles provided in step (a) have a d40 particle diameter, based on volume, and a d60 particle diameter, and wherein the difference between the d60 particle diameter and the d40 particle diameter is from about 1 μm to about 80 μm.  
   
   
       158 . The process of  claim 133 , wherein the average distance between adjacent inorganic nanoparticles in the multi-component particles provided in step (a) is less than the number average particle diameter of the inorganic nanoparticles.  
   
   
       159 . The process of  claim 133 , wherein the average distance between adjacent inorganic nanoparticles in the multi-component particles provided in step (a) is less than half the number average particle diameter of the inorganic nanoparticles.  
   
   
       160 . The process of  claim 133 , wherein the average distance between adjacent inorganic nanoparticles in the multi-component particles provided in step (a) is less than about 10 nm.  
   
   
       161 . The process of  claim 133 , wherein the average distance between adjacent inorganic nanoparticles in the multi-component particles provided in step (a) is greater than the number average particle diameter of the inorganic nanoparticles.  
   
   
       162 . The process of  claim 133 , wherein the average distance between adjacent inorganic nanoparticles in the multi-component particles provided in step (a) is greater than twice the number average particle diameter of the inorganic nanoparticles.