Crystalline metallic nano-particles and colloids thereof

Abstract

The subject of the present invention is a method of producing, properties and applications of crystalline metallic nano-particles (nano-crystallites) and colloids thereof manufactured using an electrical, non-explosive method of degrading metals and their alloys as well as the crystalline metallic nano-particles (nano-crystallites) themselves, and in particular their shape, composition, structure and characteristic properties

1 . A method of producing a colloid or its derivative, characterized in that an electrical conductor in the form of a solid is placed in a dispersion medium, subjected to electrical disintegration by a controlled current from a charged electrical condenser, wherein the process of electrical disintegration is non-explosive and the temperature of disintegration of the conductor is lower than its melting temperature, and the electrical conductor forms microparticles and nano-particles as the dispersed phase of the colloid produced. 
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the sizes of the nano-particles of the dispersed phase are contained in the statistical range from 20 to 80 Angstroms, and the sizes of the microparticles produced are larger than 80 Angstroms. 
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the nano-particles of the dispersed phase typically vary in size from 2 to 8 nm, with an average value of 3.5 nm, wherein they assume the shape of platelets with a typical thickness of 3-5 atoms. 
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the disintegration time of the metal conductor lasts around 4-5 microseconds and a plasma channel does not appear around the conductor. 
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the disintegration produces nano-crystallites with an atomic crystal structure identical to the initial crystal structure of the electrical conductor, and the content of melted metal particles or metallic spheroids is less than 50%. 
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the controlled current is sinusoidal, interrupted in time or during a second oscillation and is not a spike event. 
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the electrical current density in the electrical conductor once the controlled current is applied is from 1 kA to 50 kA. 
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the electrical conductor is selected from a group containing chemically pure metals, metals with additives, alloys or solid-state mixtures of metals, alloys of metals and semiconductors or dielectrics. 
   
   
       9 . A method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the dispersion medium is a liquid, gas, dispersed gas (gas at low pressure), a combination thereof or a vacuum. 
   
   
       10 . A method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the dispersion medium comprises at least one of the following components: water, gas, liquified gas, aerosols, gels, oils and organic liquids such as liquid hydrocarbons, crude oil, gasoline, fuel oil, heating oil, or a mixture thereof. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the colloid produced containing nano-particles is introduced into another medium, or a polymerizing substance. 
   
   
       12 . A method according to  claim 11 , characterized in that prior to placement in the other medium, at least a portion of the initial dispersion medium is removed. 
   
   
       13 - 14 . (canceled) 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1 , characterized in that the electrical disintegration is performed in a target environment or in a colloid, obtaining one of the following systems: silver in vitamins, gold in sterile distilled water or physiological solutions, chromium-nickel in silicone oils, palladium in benzene or toluene, naphtha, crude oil or oil, silver and/or gold in an acetylsalicylic acid solution, silver in alcohol, gasoline, crude oil, refined oil or glycerine. 
   
   
       16 - 17 . (canceled) 
   
   
       18 . Nano-particles of an electrically conducting substance, characterized in that they are non-ionic, crystalline fragments of an electrically conducting substance in the form of platelets with a size ranging from 2 to 8 nm, and a thickness of about 3-5 atomic layers. 
   
   
       19 . Nano-particles according to  claim 18 , characterized in that the electrically conducting substance is selected from a group containing chemically pure metals, metals with additives, alloys or solid-state mixtures of metals, alloys of metals and semiconductors or dielectrics. 
   
   
       20 . A colloid, characterized in that it contains:
 a) a dispersed phase composed of nano-particles of an electrically conducting substance, in the form of non-ionic, crystalline fragments of an electrically conducting substance in the form of platelets with a size ranging from 2 to 8 nm, and a thickness of about 3-5 atomic layers, and   b) a dispersion medium being a liquid or a gas or a mixture thereof.   
   
   
       21 - 22 . (canceled) 
   
   
       23 . A colloid according to  claim 20 , characterized in that the electrically conducting substance is a precious metal or its alloy. 
   
   
       24 - 27 . (canceled) 
   
   
       28 . The colloid of  claim 20 , characterized in that the colloid produced is in the form of an aqueous suspension containing nano-particles of silver, its alloys or other metals. 
   
   
       29 - 30 .a (canceled) 
   
   
       30 b. The colloid of  claim 20 , wherein the colloid or its derivative contains a metal which is an efficient electrical conductor. 
   
   
       31 . (canceled) 
   
   
       32 . The colloid of  claim 20 , wherein the colloid or its derivative contains a platinide. 
   
   
       33 . (canceled)