Small particle compositions and associated methods

Abstract

Small particle compositions are provided. The particles may have one or more desired features related to particle morphology, topology and crystallographic orientation. The small particle size coupled with such feature(s) can lead to significant property advantages in a variety of different applications including catalytic applications.

1 . A nanoparticle composition comprising: 
 nanoparticles having a lenticular cross-section including a thickness that decreases from a center portion to edge portions of the nanoparticles, wherein the nanoparticles have an average particle size of less than 150 nm.    
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the average thickness at the center portion is less than about 50 nm.  
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticles comprise an intermetallic compound.  
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticles comprise titania.  
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticles comprise Al 2 O 3 .  
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticles are milled.  
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticles have an anisotropic crystal structure.  
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the average particle size is less than 50 nm.  
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein greater than 75% of the nanoparticles have the same crystallographic orientation.  
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticles have a stepped surface.  
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticles comprises a catalytic material.  
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the catalytic material is consumed, in part, when catalyzing a desired reaction.  
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the catalytic material catalyzes a desired reaction without being consumed.  
     
     
         14 . A nanoparticle composition comprising: 
 nanoparticles having an average particle size of less than 150 nm, wherein the nanoparticles have a stepped surface.    
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 14 , wherein the nanoparticles are milled.  
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 14 , wherein the nanoparticles have an anisotropic crystal structure.  
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 14 , wherein the average particle size is less than 50 nm.  
     
     
         18 . The composition of  claim 14 , wherein greater than 75% of the nanoparticles have the same crystallographic orientation.  
     
     
         19 . The composition of  claim 14 , wherein the nanoparticles comprise an intermetallic compound.  
     
     
         20 . The composition of  claim 14 , wherein the nanoparticles include one or more steps having a height of less than about 5 nm.  
     
     
         21 . The composition of  claim 14 , wherein the nanoparticles comprise a catalytic material.  
     
     
         22 . A nanoparticle composition comprising: 
 nanoparticles having an average particle size of less than 150 nm and a crystallographic orientation, wherein a majority of the nanoparticles have the same crystallographic orientation.    
     
     
         23 . The composition of  claim 22 , wherein greater than 75% of the nanoparticles have the same crystallographic orientation.  
     
     
         24 . The composition of  claim 22 , wherein the nanoparticles are milled.  
     
     
         25 . The composition of  claim 22 , wherein the nanoparticles have an anisotropic crystal structure.  
     
     
         26 . The composition of  claim 22 , wherein the average particle size is less than 50 nm.  
     
     
         27 . A nanoparticle composition comprising: 
 nanoparticles having an average particle size of less than 150 nm and a crystallographic orientation, wherein the nanoparticles are substantially free of carbon-based surface contamination.    
     
     
         28 . The composition of  claim 27 , wherein the nanoparticles are formed of a metal.  
     
     
         29 . A method of producing nanoparticles comprising: 
 milling feed particles to form a milled nanoparticle composition including nanoparticles having a lenticular cross-section including a thickness that decreases from a center portion to edge portions of the nanoparticles, wherein the nanoparticles have an average particle size of less than 150 nm.    
     
     
         30 . A method of producing nanoparticles comprising: 
 milling feed particles to form a milled nanoparticle composition including nanoparticles having an average particle size of less than 150 nm, wherein the nanoparticles have a stepped surface.    
     
     
         31 . A method of producing nanoparticles comprising: 
 milling feed particles to form a milled nanoparticle composition including nanoparticles having an average particle size of less than 150 nm and a crystallographic orientation, wherein a majority of the nanoparticles have the same crystallographic orientation.    
     
     
         32 . A method of producing nanoparticles comprising: 
 milling feed nanoparticles having an average particle size of less than 150 nm to produce surface features on the nanoparticles; and    recovering the nanoparticles including surface features having an average particle size within about 10% of the average particle size of the feed particles.    
     
     
         33 . A method of producing nanoparticles comprising: 
 milling particles having a first composition and particles having a second composition in a milling apparatus; and    forming a region comprising the second composition on respective surfaces of particles having the first composition.