Chemistry Commons^™

Controlled Synthesis And Utilization Of Metal And Oxide Hybrid Nanoparticles, Cameron Cowgur Crane

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation reports the development of synthetic methods concerning rationally-designed, hybrid, and multifunctional nanomaterials. These methods are based on a wet chemical, solution phase approach that utilizes the knowledge of synthetic organic and inorganic chemistry to generate building blocks in solution for the growth of nanocrystals and hybrid nanostructures. This work builds on the prior knowledge of shape-controlled synthesis of noble metal nanocrystals and expands into the challenging realm of the more reactive first row transition metals. Specifically, a microemulsion sol-gel method was developed to synthesize Au-SiO2 dimers as precursors for the synthesis of segmented heterostructures of noble metals that …

Silver Nanoparticles As A Potential Solar Absorber, Benjamin Hardy

Honors Projects

This work reports the development of Silver nanoparticles implanted into a polymer as a solar absorber. The plasmonic nature of silver nanoparticle allows for adjustments to be made in its UV-VIS-NIR absorbance spectrum. A combination of different sized/shaped particles could result in ideal absorption of the majority of the solar spectrum. Allotting this with the stability of a polymer leads to potential solids or solutions that could work as a solar absorber. Tests were also performed to determine whether or not UV-C irradiation during synthesis effects the characteristics of silver nanoparticles, in particular the absorbance. Successful synthesis of silver nanoparticle …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Metallic Nanoparticles For Catalytic Applications, Sarah Smith

Theses and Dissertations

In recent years, research has focused on reducing the cost of catalysts in a variety of ways including using less expensive materials, improving the synthetic method, and increasing the catalytic activity, recovery, and recyclability. Typically with nanoparticles, the size, shape, composition, and surface coating have an effect on catalytic activity.^1-2 In this work, we focused on reducing the cost of precious metal based catalysts by altering the synthetic methods.

One way to lower the cost of synthesizing precious metal nanoparticles is by debasing the precious metal with a second cheaper more abundant metal. CuPd nanoparticles were synthesized in oleylamine …