Nanocomposite and method of making thereof

Abstract

An embodiment of an inorganic nanocomposite includes a nanoparticle phase and a matrix phase. The nanoparticle phase includes nanoparticles that are arranged in a repeating structure. In an embodiment, the nanoparticles have a spherical or pseudo-spherical shape and are incompatible with hydrazine. In another embodiment, the nanoparticles have neither a spherical nor pseudo-spherical shape. The matrix phase lies between the nanoparticles of the nanoparticle phase. An embodiment of a method of making an inorganic nanocomposite of the present invention includes forming a nanoparticle superlattice on a substrate. The nanoparticle superlattice includes nanoparticles. Each nanoparticle has organic ligands attached to a surface of the nanoparticle. The organic ligands separate adjacent nanoparticles within the nanoparticle superlattice. The method also includes forming a solution that includes an inorganic precursor. The nanoparticle superlattice is placed in the solution for a sufficient time for the inorganic precursor to replace the organic ligands.

1 . A method of making a metal oxide nanocomposite comprising:
 forming a colloidal solution comprising nanoparticles, each nanoparticle having organic ligands attached to a surface of the nanoparticle;   replacing the organic ligands by a tetrafluoroborate anion;   forming an aqueous solution that includes a metal oxide cluster precursor; and,   mixing the nanoparticles with the aqueous solution that includes a metal oxide cluster precursor for a sufficient time for the metal oxide precursor to attach to the surface of the nanoparticle.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a nanoparticle assembly that forms after the step of mixing does not comprise a close packed structure. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the nanoparticles comprise particular nanoparticles that have a spherical or pseudo-spherical shape. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the nanoparticles are aligned nanoparticles selected from the group consisting of nanorods, nanowires, and tetrapods. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 removing displaced tetrafluoroborate ligands from the solution;   dispersing the metal oxide cluster-capped nanoparticles in a water/ethanol solution; and,   depositing the metal oxide cluster-capped nanoparticle solution on a substrate.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising heating a nanoparticle assembly that forms after the step of mixing to convert the metal oxide cluster to an oxide matrix phase of an inorganic nanocomposite, the nanoparticle assembly forming a nanoparticle phase in the inorganic nanocomposite. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the inorganic precursor comprises polyoxometalate clusters. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising providing the inorganic nanocomposite into an electrochromic device. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the electrochromic device comprises an electrochromic window coating. 
     
     
         10 . A method of making a metal oxide nanoparticle composition comprising:
 forming a colloidal solution comprising metal oxide nanoparticles, each nanoparticle having organic ligands attached to a surface of the nanoparticle;   replacing the organic ligands by a tetrafluoroborate anion; and,   placing the nanoparticles into an electrochromic device.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 forming an aqueous solution that includes a metal oxide cluster precursor; and,   mixing the nanoparticles with the aqueous solution that includes a metal oxide cluster precursor for a sufficient time for the metal oxide precursor to attach to the surface of the nanoparticle.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein a nanoparticle assembly that forms after the step of mixing does not comprise a close packed structure. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the nanoparticles comprise particular nanoparticles that have a spherical or pseudo-spherical shape. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 displacing the tetrafluoroborate ligands from the nanoparticles;   providing the nanoparticles into a matrix to form a nanocomposite after the step of displacing; and,   providing the nanocomposite into the electrochromic device.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 removing the displaced tetrafluoroborate ligands from the solution;   dispersing the metal oxide cluster-capped nanoparticles in a water/ethanol solution; and,   depositing the metal oxide cluster-capped nanoparticle solution on a substrate.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising heating the nanoparticle assembly that forms after the step of mixing to convert the metal oxide cluster to an oxide matrix phase of an inorganic nanocomposite, the nanoparticle assembly forming a nanoparticle phase in the inorganic nanocomposite. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the inorganic precursor comprises polyoxometalate clusters. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the electrochromic device comprises an electrochromic window coating.