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Article
Synthesis of Aluminum Nanoparticles capped with Copolymerizable Epoxides
Journal of Nanoparticle Research
  • Brandon J. Thomas, Saint Louis University
  • Christopher E. Bunker, Air Force Research Laboratory
  • Elena A. Guliants, University of Dayton
  • Sophia E. Hayes, Washington University
  • Arthur Kheyfets, Saint Louis University
  • Katherine M. Wentz, Washington University
  • Steven W. Buckner, Saint Louis University
  • Paul A. Jelliss, Saint Louis University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-1-2013
Abstract

We report on the synthesis of air-stable aluminum nanoparticles (Al NPs) capped with 1,2-epoxy-9-decene. Long-chain epoxides have proven to be effective capping agents for Al NPs as the epoxide ring is highly susceptible to ring-opening polymerization, leading to the formation of putative polyether loops on the nascent Al NP surface. However, these materials are observed to degrade within several hours to days following exposure to ambient air. By inducing polymerization of the additional terminal alkene functionality on the epoxide, we have produced Al NPs that exhibit both a shelf life of ~6 weeks and a high active Al content. Transmission electron microscopy confirms that these spherical nanostructures, ~25 nm in diameter, are embedded in a covalently bound polymer matrix that serves as a prophylactic barrier against water/air (H2O/O2) degradation, and 27Al solid-state NMR is used to nondestructively confirm the presence of both metallic Al0 and oxidized Al3+. In addition, we have induced polymerization of the epoxide terminal alkene functionality with a long-chain diene monomer, 1,13-tetradecadiene, leading to the formation of Al NPs protected by an extremely hydrophobic polymer matrix. These core–shell nanomaterials also have high active Al contents along with extremely long shelf lives (up to 6 months upon air exposure).

Inclusive pages
1-9
ISBN/ISSN
1388-0764
Comments

Permission documentation is on file.

Publisher
Springer
Peer Reviewed
Yes
Citation Information
Brandon J. Thomas, Christopher E. Bunker, Elena A. Guliants, Sophia E. Hayes, et al.. "Synthesis of Aluminum Nanoparticles capped with Copolymerizable Epoxides" Journal of Nanoparticle Research Vol. 15 Iss. 1729 (2013)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/elena_guliants/42/