US5472749A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Graphite encapsulated nanophase particles produced by a tungsten arc method
Assignee: Francotyp Postalia GmbH
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Filing: 1994-10-27
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Granted: 1995-12-05
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Expires: 2014-10-27
Abstract
Abstract A method of synthesizing encapsulated nanocrystals inside protective shells is disclosed. This method produces nanocrystals of metals, alloys, and compounds which are individually encapsulated by protective graphite shells which completely separate the nanocrystals from the environment. A separation method is also disclosed which eliminates most of all other debris except the encapsulated nanocrystals from the preparation product.
Inventors
- 👤 Vinayak P. Dravid
- 👤 Mao-Hua Teng
- 👤 Jonathon J. Host
- 👤 Brian R. Elliott
- 👤 D. Lynn Johnson
- 👤 Thomas O. Mason
- 👤 Julia R. Weertman
- 👤 J.-H. Hwang
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:16
CPC Classifications
C; C01; C01B; C01B32/00; C01B32/90; B; B01; B01J; B01J13/00; B01J13/02; B01J13/04; B22; B22F; B22F1/00; B22F1/05; B22F1/054; B22F1/14; B22F1/145; B22F9/00; B22F9/02; B22F9/12; B22F9/14; B82; B82Y; B82Y30/00; C01B13/00; C01B13/14; C01B13/20; C01B21/00; C01B21/06; C01B35/00; C01B35/02; C01B35/04; B01J2219/00; B01J2219/08; B01J2219/0803; B01J2219/0805; B01J2219/0807; B01J2219/0822; C01P; C01P2004/00; C01P2004/51; C01P2004/60; C01P2004/64; C01P2004/80; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S423/00; Y10S423/40; Y10S977/00; Y10S977/70; Y10S977/773; Y10S977/84; Y10S977/842; Y10S977/843; Y10S977/844; Y10S977/845; Y10S977/895; Y10S977/896; Y10S977/901
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of producing graphite encapsulated nanocrystals, comprising the steps of: a) setting up a tungsten cathode to be spaced from an anode formed of a metal, alloy or ceramic compound, said anode having magnetic or electronic properties, and held in a graphite crucible within an arc chamber; b) filling said arc chamber with an inert gas; c) providing an electric arc between said cathode and said anode; d) creating particles of said metal in nanocrystalline form encapsulated by said graphite; e) collecting said particles; and f) washing and separating said particles.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of producing graphite encapsulated nanocrystals, comprising the steps of: a) setting up a tungsten cathode to be spaced from an anode formed of a metal, alloy or ceramic compound, said anode having magnetic or electronic properties, and held in a graphite crucible within an arc chamber; b) filling said arc chamber with an inert gas; c) providing an electric arc between said cathode and said anode; d) creating particles of said metal in nanocrystalline form encapsulated by said graphite; e) collecting said particles; and f) washing and separating said particles.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said anode is selected from a substance selected from the group consisting of nickel, iron, cobalt, and cobalt chromium alloy.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said inert gas in said arc chamber is maintained at a pressure of from 1 torr to 760 torr.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said inert gas in said arc chamber is maintained at a pressure of 150-400 torr.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said arc is operated at about 20 volts and between 50 to 200 amps.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said arc is provided at 20 volts and 130 amps.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said inert gas is helium.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said arc chamber is filled with helium by directing a jet of helium at velocities of between 20 and 60 m/s at said arc.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said particles are collected, washed in HNO 3 , aqua regia or strong acid and separated from other residue.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of spacing said crucible from said anode with graphite foil.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of producing graphite encapsulated nickel nanocrystals comprising the steps of: a) setting up a tungsten cathode spaced from a nickel anode in a graphite crucible; said cathode, anode and crucible being in an arc chamber; b) filling said arc chamber with He; c) creating an arc in said arc chamber with about 20 DC volts and about 130 amps of current; d) directing a stream of He at said arc at a velocity of between 20-60 m/s and creating a pressure of 200 torr in said arc chamber; and, e) depositing, collecting and separating said graphite encapsulated nickel nanocrystals.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of producing graphite encapsulated nickel nanocrystals comprising the steps of: a) setting up a tungsten cathode spaced from a nickel anode in a graphite crucible; said cathode, anode and crucible being in an arc chamber; b) filling said arc chamber with He; c) creating an arc in said arc chamber with about 20 DC volts and about 130 amps of current; d) directing a stream of He at said arc at a velocity of between 20-60 m/s and creating a pressure of 200 torr in said arc chamber; and, e) depositing, collecting and separating said graphite encapsulated nickel nanocrystals.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 11 further including the step of separating said nickel anode from said graphite crucible with a layer of graphite foil.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-12-04 | 1999-06-05 | 1999-12-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-12-04 | 2003-06-05 | 2003-12-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-12-04 | 2007-06-05 | 2007-12-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |