Novel Gold-Platinum Based Bi-Metallic Nanocrystal Suspensions, Electrochemical Manufacturing Processes Therefor and Uses for the Same

Abstract

The present invention relates to novel gold-platinum based bi-metallic nanocrystal suspensions that have nanocrystal surfaces that are substantially free from organic or other impurities or films associated with typical chemical reductants/stabilizers and/or raw materials used in nanoparticle formation processes. Specifically, the surfaces are “clean” relative to the surfaces of metal-based nanoparticles made using chemical reduction (and other) processes that require organic (or other) reductants and/or surfactants to grow (and/or suspend) metal nanoparticles from metal ions in a solution. The invention includes novel electrochemical manufacturing apparatuses and techniques for making the bi-metallic nanocrystal suspensions. The techniques do not require the use or presence of chlorine ions/atoms and/or chlorides or chlorine-based materials for the manufacturing process/final suspension. The invention further includes pharmaceutical compositions thereof and the use of the bi-metallic nanocrystals or suspensions or colloids thereof for the treatment or prevention of diseases or conditions for which metal-based therapy is already known, including, for example, for cancerous diseases or conditions.

1 . A pharmaceutically acceptable suspension comprising:
 a.) pharmaceutical grade water;   b.) at least one processing enhancer; and   c.) gold-platinum bi-metallic nanocrystals suspended in said water forming a suspension, wherein said gold-platinum bi-metallic nanocrystals:
 i.) have surfaces that include at least one characteristic selected from the group of characteristics consisting of: (1) no organic chemical constituents adhered or attached to said surfaces and (2) are substantially clean and do not have chemical constituents adhered or attached to surfaces, other than water, lysis products of water or said processing enhancer, none of which alter the functioning of said nanocrystals; 
 ii.) have a particle size of less than about 50 nm; 
 iii.) are present in said suspension at a total atomic metal concentration of about 2-1000 ppm; and 
   d.) said suspension having a pH of between about 5 to about 12 and a zeta potential of at least about −30 mv.   
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said processing enhancer comprises sodium bicarbonate. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said suspension has a zeta potential of at least about −40 mV and a pH of between about 8 to about 12. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said suspension has a zeta potential of at least about −50 mV. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said surfaces have no organic chemical constituents adhered or attached to said surfaces. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said surfaces are substantially clean and do not have chemical constituents adhered or attached to surfaces, other than lysis products of said water. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said suspension has a total metal concentration of about 10-500 ppm. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said gold-platinum bi-metallic nanocrystals comprise an alloy of gold and platinum. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 8 , wherein platinum is a minor constituent in said bi-metallic nanocrystals and gold is a major constituent in said bi-metallic nanocrystals. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said suspension is free from chlorides and chlorine-based species. 
     
     
         11 . A pharmaceutical suspension comprising:
 a.) pharmaceutical grade water containing at least one processing enhancer, said water having a pH of between about 5 to about 12;   b.) gold-platinum bi-metallic alloyed nanocrystals in said water forming said suspension, said suspension having a zeta potential of at least about −30 mV and wherein said gold-platinum bi-metallic alloyed nanocrystals:
 i.) have surfaces that include at least one characteristic selected from the group of characteristics consisting of: (1) no organic chemical constituents adhered or attached to said surfaces and (2) are substantially clean and do not have chemical constituents adhered or attached to surfaces thereof; 
 ii.) have an average particle size of less than about 50 nm; and 
 iii.) are present in said suspension at a concentration of about 2-1000 ppm. 
   
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein said suspension has a zeta potential of at least about −40 mV and a pH of between about 8 to about 12. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein said suspension is free from chlorides and chlorine-based species. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein said surfaces are substantially clean and do not have chemical constituents adhered or attached to surfaces, other than water or lysis products of water and said suspension is free from chlorides and chlorine-based species. 
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein at least some platinum ions are present in said water suspension. 
     
     
         16 . A suspension comprising:
 a.) pure water containing at least one processing enhancer, said water having a pH of between about 5 to about 12;   b.) gold-platinum bi-metallic nanocrystals in said water forming said suspension, said suspension having a zeta potential of at least about −30 mV and wherein said gold-platinum nanocrystals:
 i.) have surfaces that include at least one characteristic selected from the group of characteristics consisting of: (1) no organic chemical constituents adhered or attached to said surfaces and (2) are substantially clean and do not have chemical constituents adhered or attached to surfaces, other than water, lysis products of water or said processing enhancer, none of which alter catalytic functioning of said nanocrystals; 
 ii.) have a particle size of less than about 50 nm; and 
 iii.) are present in said suspension at a concentration of about 2-1000 ppm. 
   
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 16 , wherein said suspension has a zeta potential of at least about −40 mV and a pH of between about 8 to about 12. 
     
     
         18 . The composition of  claim 17 , wherein said surfaces have no organic chemical constituents adhered or attached to said surfaces. 
     
     
         19 . The composition of  claim 16 , wherein said surfaces are substantially clean and do not have chemical constituents adhered or attached to surfaces, other than water or lysis products of water. 
     
     
         20 . The composition of  claim 19 , wherein said suspension does not contain any chlorides or chlorine-based materials used to form the gold-platinum bi-metallic nanocrystals.