Apparatus and method for producing metal nanoparticles using granule-type electrodes

Abstract

An apparatus for producing metal nanoparticles using granule type electrodes, in which the metal nanoparticles having a uniform shape and nano-size are continuously mass-produced at low cost by filling metal granules in a pair of electrode housings spaced by a certain interval and electrolyzing the granules with alternating-current voltage. The apparatus includes a reaction vessel containing an electrolytic solution, first and second electrodes that are formed by filling a number of granules or flakes, in first and second electrode housings that are spaced by a gap in the reaction vessel, and a power supply that applies an alternating-current power between the first and second electrodes for electrolysis reaction, in which the first and second electrode housings comprise a number of holes or slits on at least two surfaces facing each other so that metal ions dissolved from the first and second electrodes can be discharged depending on the electrolysis reaction.

1 . An apparatus for producing metal nanoparticles, the metal nanoparticles producing apparatus comprising:
 a reaction vessel containing an electrolytic solution;   first and second electrodes that are formed by filling a number of granules or flakes made of the same metal as the metal nanoparticles to be obtained, in first and second electrode housings that are spaced by a gap in the reaction vessel; and   a power supply that applies an alternating-current (AC) power between the first and second electrodes for electrolysis reaction,   wherein the first and second electrode housings comprise a number of holes or slits on at least two surfaces facing each other so that metal ions dissolved from the first and second electrodes can be discharged depending on the electrolysis reaction.   
     
     
         2 . The metal nanoparticles producing apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a support holder that supports the first and second electrode housings at a distance spaced from each other in an insulation mode. 
     
     
         3 . The metal nanoparticles producing apparatus according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 first and second power cables that supply the AC power that is applied between the first and second electrodes from a power supply; and   first and second electrode terminals that mutually connect granules or flakes that are filled in the inner portions of the first and second electrode housings, respectively on both sides of the support holder.   
     
     
         4 . The metal nanoparticles producing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second electrode housings are vessels whose cross-sectional shapes are rectangular or polygonal, respectively. 
     
     
         5 . The metal nanoparticles producing apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the first and second electrode housings comprise a number of projections whose side surfaces opposing each other are formed in a saw-tooth shape, and first and second side plates having a number of holes or slits formed on both side surfaces of the projections, respectively. 
     
     
         6 . The metal nanoparticles producing apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the first and second side plates are formed of a net consisting of Ti. 
     
     
         7 . The metal nanoparticles producing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second electrode housings differ from each other in diameter, respectively, and have a structure of circular double vessels that are concentrically disposed. 
     
     
         8 . The metal nanoparticles producing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the granules or flakes comprise an alloy made of one kind or two or more kinds selected from the group consisting of Ag, Pt, Au, Mg, Al, Zn, Fe, Cu, Ni, and Pd. 
     
     
         9 . The metal nanoparticles producing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the granules or flakes are set in a range of 0.05 to 10 cm in size, and preferably set in a range of 0.5 to 5 mm in size. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus for producing metal nanoparticles, the metal nanoparticles producing apparatus comprising:
 a reaction vessel containing an electrolytic solution;   a first electrode that is formed by filling a number of granules or flakes consisting of the same metal as the metal nanoparticles to be obtained, in an electrode housing that is provided in the reaction vessel;   a second electrode that is spaced by a gap from the first electrode in the reaction vessel; and   a power supply that applies an alternating-current (AC) power between the first and second electrodes for electrolysis reaction,   wherein the electrode housing comprises a number of holes or slits so that metal ions dissolved from the first electrode can be discharged depending on the electrolysis reaction.   
     
     
         11 . The metal nanoparticles producing apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the electrode housing comprises a number of holes or slits that are formed on side surfaces that oppose the second electrode. 
     
     
         12 . The metal nanoparticles producing apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the electrode housing has a cross-shaped accommodation space in the inside thereof, and has a number of holes or slits on the side surfaces thereof, and wherein the second electrode accommodates the electrode housing therein and is formed of a cylindrical or cylindrical mesh. 
     
     
         13 . The metal nanoparticles producing apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the electrode housing is rotationally driven and the second electrode is made of Ti. 
     
     
         14 . A method of producing metal nanoparticles, the metal nanoparticles producing method comprising steps of:
 preparing an electrolytic solution by dissolving an electrolyte and a dispersant in pure water in a reaction vessel;   forming first and second electrodes by filling a number of granules or flakes made of the same metal as the metal nanoparticles to be obtained, in first and second electrode housings that are disposed in opposition to each other in the reaction vessel, in which a number of holes or slits are provided on the opposing surfaces;   applying an alternating-current (AC) power between the first and second electrodes for electrolysis reaction, to thus ionize metal granules or flakes into the electrolytic solution to thereby generate metal ions; and   reducing the metal ions by a reducing agent to thus form the metal nanoparticles.   
     
     
         15 . The metal nanoparticles producing method of  claim 14 , wherein the reducing agent is put into the electrolytic solution, so that concentration of the reducing agent becomes a certain level in response to concentration of metal ions that are produced as an electrolysis proceeds. 
     
     
         16 . The metal nanoparticles producing method of  claim 14 , wherein the AC power frequency is 0<f<10 Hz in which “f” denotes a frequency. 
     
     
         17 . The metal nanoparticles producing method of  claim 14 , wherein the granules or flakes comprise an alloy made of one kind or two or more kinds selected from the group consisting of Ag, Pt, Au, Mg, Al, Zn, Fe, Cu, Ni, and Pd. 
     
     
         18 . The metal nanoparticles producing apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the granules or flakes are set in a range of 0.05 to 10 cm in size, and preferably set in a range of 0.5 to 5 mm in size. 
     
     
         19 . A method of producing metal nanoparticles, the metal nanoparticles producing method comprising steps of:
 preparing an electrolytic solution by dissolving an electrolyte and a dispersant in pure water in a reaction vessel;   disposing a first electrode that is formed by filling a number of granules or flakes made of the same metal as the metal nanoparticles to be obtained, in an electrode housing, and a second electrode that is made in a plate or cylindrical shape and opposes at least one surface of the first electrode, in the reaction vessel;   applying an alternating-current (AC) power between the first and second electrodes for electrolysis reaction, to thus ionize metal granules or flakes into the electrolytic solution to thereby generate metal ions; and   reducing the metal ions by a reducing agent to thus form the metal nanoparticles.   
     
     
         20 . The metal nanoparticles producing method of  claim 19 , wherein the electrode housing is rotationally driven and the second electrode is made of Ti.