Hydrogel Concentration of Noble Metal Colloids Without Aggregation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for concentrating colloidal noble metals, such as centrifugation, microreactors, and solvent evaporation, are labor-intensive, require expensive equipment, or alter the particle properties, making them unsuitable for certain types of stabilization and limiting their applications.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the addition of a cross-linked polymer hydrogel to colloidal solutions to absorb solvent and stabilize the particles, allowing controlled removal of solvent and residual reactants, suitable for various stabilization types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If centrifugation is used to concentrate colloidal gold, then concentration increases to 0.5 g/l, but particles aggregate and form precipitates due to high centrifugation speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (centrifugation aid) that mediates between the centrifugal force and the colloidal particles. This aid creates a density gradient or protective environment that allows concentration through centrifugation without direct high-speed particle separation, preventing aggregation while achieving the desired concentration increase.
2Productivity
If high centrifugation speed is applied to separate liquid phase from solid phase, then separation efficiency improves, but colloidal sample is irretrievably lost due to aggregation
Solution Approach 1:
The centrifugation aid acts as a protective intermediary during the separation process. It allows the liquid phase to be efficiently separated while the aid prevents the solid colloidal particles from aggregating and being lost, thereby maintaining both high separation efficiency and sample recovery.
3Quantity of substance
If evaporation is used to concentrate colloids, then concentration increases, but particle morphology changes and coagulation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using evaporation that changes temperature and concentration parameters rapidly, the patent uses centrifugation with aid to change the distribution parameters of particles. This alternative parameter change approach achieves concentration without the harmful thermal effects that cause morphology changes and coagulation.
4Quantity of substance
If microreactor system with organic phase is used to concentrate silver nanoparticles, then concentration reaches 1 mM, but procedure becomes labor-intensive and requires expensive equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the expensive, complex microreactor system with a simple, disposable centrifugation approach using readily available centrifuges and inexpensive centrifugation aids. This achieves comparable concentration results without requiring sophisticated equipment or complex procedures.
5Quantity of substance
If extraction process with organic solvent is used to concentrate silver, then concentration increases, but surface properties change from hydrophilic to hydrophobic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the separation parameter from chemical extraction (which alters surface properties) to physical centrifugation with aid. This parameter change allows concentration to be achieved while maintaining the original hydrophilic surface properties and colloidal stability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method efficiently concentrates colloids without altering particle properties, is cost-effective, and can be performed at room temperature, offering high flexibility and simplicity.
Implementation Method 1
A method is disclosed which comprises adding a compound based on a cross-linked polymer with 3D structure in the form of hydrogel to a colloidal solution of a noble metal
Implementation Method 2
using steric stabilization, which involves the adsorption of particles of another compound (usually not involved in the reduction reaction) on the surface of the formed nanoparticles
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for concentrating of colloidal solutions of noble metals, comprising adding a compound based on a cross-linked polymer with 3D structure in the form of hydrogel to a colloidal solution of a noble metal.