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Introduction to Nanotechnology

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4.5. METHODS OF SYNTHESIS 99<br />

isopropoxide is added <strong>to</strong> the solution. The titanium acts as a catalyst for the reaction.<br />

The choice of catalyst determines the size of the particles produced. For instance,<br />

80-nm particles have been made using titanium. A surfactant such as oleic acid can<br />

be added <strong>to</strong> the solution <strong>to</strong> coat the particles and prevent aggregation.<br />

4.5.3. Thermolysis<br />

Nanoparticles can be made by decomposing solids at high temperature having metal<br />

cations, and molecular anions or metal organic compounds. The process is called<br />

thermolysis. For example, small lithium particles can be made by decomposing<br />

lithium azide, LiN3. The material is placed in an evacuated quartz tube and heated <strong>to</strong><br />

400°C in the apparatus shown in Fig. 4.26. At about 370°C the LiN3 decomposes,<br />

releasing N2 gas, which is observed by an increase in the pressure on the vacuum<br />

gauge. In a few minutes the pressure drops back <strong>to</strong> its original low value, indicating<br />

that all the N2 has been removed. The remaining lithium a<strong>to</strong>ms coalesce <strong>to</strong> form<br />

small colloidal metal particles. Particles less than 5 nm can be made by this method.<br />

Passivation can be achieved by introducing an appropriate gas.<br />

The presence of these nanoparticles can be detected by electron paramagnetic<br />

resonance (EPR) of the conduction electrons of the metal particles. Electron<br />

paramagnetic resonance, which is described in more detail in Chapter 3, measures<br />

the energy absorbed when electromagnetic radiation such as microwaves induces a<br />

transition between the spin states m, split by a DC magnetic field. Generally the<br />

experiment measures the derivative of the absorption as a fimction of an increasing<br />

DC magnetic field. Normally because of the low penetration depth of the micro-<br />

waves in<strong>to</strong> a metal, it is not possible <strong>to</strong> observe the EPR of the conduction electrons.<br />

FURNACE VACUUM GAUGE MOLECULAR<br />

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EVACUATED SAMPLE FORE<br />

QUARTZ TUBE in Ta foil PUMP<br />

Figure 4.26. Apparatus used <strong>to</strong> make metal nanoparticles by thermally decomposing solids<br />

consisting of metal cations and molecular anions, or metal organic solids. (F. J. Owens,<br />

unpublished.)

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