Efficient Growth of Water-Soluble Magnetic Nanomaterials

Introduction

This cutting-edge method for the continuous growth of water-soluble magnetic nanomaterials offers an efficient, scalable solution for industries that require precise control over nanomaterial synthesis. Magnetic nanomaterials are widely used across multiple sectors, including medical imaging, environmental remediation, and data storage. By enabling continuous growth, this technology ensures a consistent supply of high-quality nanomaterials that can be tailored for specific applications. Companies in nanotechnology, biotechnology, and environmental science will find this innovation essential for driving new developments and expanding their capabilities.

The Challenge: Producing Water-Soluble Magnetic Nanomaterials

Magnetic nanomaterials hold immense potential across a variety of industries, but their production poses significant challenges. Traditional batch processes often result in inconsistent quality, scalability issues, and difficulty in achieving water solubility, which is critical for biological and environmental applications. As demand for these materials grows, companies need more efficient and scalable methods for producing nanomaterials that are both water-soluble and of consistent high quality. Overcoming these production challenges can unlock new applications and innovations in medical devices, environmental solutions, and beyond.

Continuous Growth for Consistent Quality

This method for the continuous growth of water-soluble magnetic nanomaterials addresses the limitations of traditional production processes. By allowing for continuous synthesis, the technology ensures consistent quality and scalability, meeting the demands of industrial and research applications. The nanomaterials produced are ideal for use in medical imaging, targeted drug delivery, and environmental remediation, as their water solubility allows them to be easily integrated into biological systems and natural environments. The technology’s ability to produce high-quality nanomaterials in a continuous, controlled manner makes it a valuable asset for companies looking to lead in nanotechnology innovation.

Key Benefits for Medical, Environmental, and Tech Sectors

In the medical field, these water-soluble magnetic nanomaterials can enhance imaging techniques, such as MRI, and improve the precision of drug delivery systems, reducing side effects and improving patient outcomes. Environmental applications include using the nanomaterials for pollutant removal or water purification, offering an efficient way to address pressing environmental challenges. Additionally, companies in data storage and electronics can explore the use of magnetic nanomaterials to create smaller, more efficient devices. This technology’s flexibility and scalability make it a versatile tool for advancing multiple sectors.

Invest in the Future of Nanomaterials

Licensing this water-soluble magnetic nanomaterials growth technology positions your company at the forefront of nanotechnology innovation. By offering a scalable, continuous production process, your business can meet the growing demand for advanced materials across medical, environmental, and technological fields. This technology provides a strategic advantage for companies looking to improve product performance, enhance environmental sustainability, and drive breakthroughs in materials science.

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Abstract
Claims

Embodiments of a method for synthesizing water-soluble metal oxide nanoparticles are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes heating a first reaction mixture at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time duration with continuous stirring to obtain a second reaction mixture that comprises water-soluble metal oxide nanoparticles of a first size. The first reaction mixture includes a reactant and a polyol. The method further includes adding a first predetermined amount of the reactant to the second reaction mixture to obtain a third reaction mixture. The method further includes heating the third reaction mixture at the predetermined temperature for the predetermined time duration with continuous stirring to obtain a fourth reaction mixture comprising water-soluble metal oxide nanoparticles of a second size. The reactant is Fe(acac)₃and the polyol is diethylene glycol (DEG) for synthesizing water-soluble iron oxide nanoparticles.

We claim:

1. A method for synthesizing water-soluble metal oxide nanoparticles, the method comprising:

a. heating a first reaction mixture at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time duration with continuous stirring to obtain a second reaction mixture that comprises water-soluble metal oxide nanoparticles of a first size, the first reaction mixture comprising a reactant and a polyol;

b. adding a first predetermined amount of the reactant to the second reaction mixture to obtain a third reaction mixture; and

c. heating the third reaction mixture at the predetermined temperature for the predetermined time duration with continuous stirring to obtain a fourth reaction mixture comprising water-soluble metal oxide nanoparticles of a second size.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reactant is one of iron (II) acetate (Fe(C₂H₃O₂)₂) or iron (III) acetylacetonate (Fe(acac)₃) and wherein the water-soluble metal oxide nanoparticles correspond to water-soluble iron oxide nanoparticles.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the polyol is diethylene glycol.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the polyol is selected from a group comprising of tetraethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, and polyethylene glycols with molecular weight in the range of about 1000 to about 8000.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising heating the first reaction mixture at an initial temperature for an initial time duration prior to the heating of the first reaction mixture at the predetermined temperature for the predetermined time duration.

6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the initial temperature is in the range of around 100° C. to 140° C. and the initial time duration is in the range of around 1-3 hours.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

a. separating the water-soluble metal oxide nanoparticles from the respective reaction mixtures; and

b. purifying the separated water-soluble metal oxide nanoparticles.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predetermined temperature is in the range of around 200° C. to 240° C. and the predetermined time duration is in the range of about 1-2 hours.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second size of the metal oxide nanoparticles comprised in the fourth mixture is dependent at least in part on the first predetermined amount of the reactant added to the second reaction mixture.

10. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second size is greater than the first size.

11. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

a. adding a second predetermined amount of the reactant to the fourth reaction mixture to obtain a fifth reaction mixture; and

b. heating the fifth reaction mixture at the predetermined temperature for the predetermined time duration with continuous stirring to obtain a sixth reaction mixture comprising water-soluble metal oxide nanoparticles of a third size, wherein the third size is greater than the second size and the first size.

12. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first size and the second size of the metal oxide nanoparticles lie in the range of about 4 nm to about 13 nm.

13. A method of continuous synthesis of water-soluble metal oxide nanoparticles of varying sizes, the method comprising:

a. performing a first heating operation on a reaction mixture at an initial temperature for an initial time duration, the reaction mixture comprising a reactant and a polyol;

b. performing a second heating operation, on the reaction mixture obtained from the first heating operation, at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time duration to obtain water-soluble metal oxide nanoparticles of a first size; adding a predetermined amount of the reactant to the reaction mixture obtained from the second heating operation; and

c. performing a third heating operation, on the reaction mixture obtained from adding the predetermined amount of the reactant, at the predetermined temperature for the predetermined time duration to obtain water-soluble metal oxide nanoparticles of a second size.

14. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the reactant is Fe(acac)₃.

15. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the polyol is diethylene glycol.

16. The method as claimed in claim 13, where in the polyol is selected from a group comprising of tetraethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, and polyethylene glycols with molecular weight of 1000, 2000, 5000 and 8000.

17. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the initial temperature is in the range of around 100° C. to 140° C. and the initial time duration is in the range of around 1-3 hours.

18. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the predetermined temperature is in the range of around 200° C. to 240° C. and the predetermined time duration is in the range of about 1-2 hours.

19. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the second size of the metal oxide nanoparticles is dependent at least in part on the predetermined amount of the reactant added to the reaction mixture.

20. A method of synthesizing water-soluble metal oxide nanoparticles having incremental particle sizes, the method comprising:

a. performing a heating operation on a reaction mixture at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time duration to obtain water-soluble metal oxide nanoparticles of a first size, the reaction mixture comprising a reactant and a polyol; and

b. performing recursively an addition operation of a predetermined amount of the reactant to the reaction mixture obtained from a previous heating operation and a heating operation on the reaction mixture, obtained from the addition operation, at the predetermined temperature for the predetermined time duration to obtain water-soluble metal oxide nanoparticles,

wherein the particle size of water-soluble metal oxide nanoparticles obtained from every heating operation is greater than the particle size of water-soluble metal oxide nanoparticles obtained from a previous heating operation.

21. The method as claimed in claim 20 further comprising performing a preliminary heating operation on the reaction mixture at an initial temperature for an initial time duration prior to performing any heating operation.

22. The method as claimed in claim 20, wherein the recursive addition operation and heating operation are performed up to 6 times or less to obtain water-soluble metal oxide nanoparticles having particle sizes in the range of about 4 nm to about 13 nm.

23. The method as claimed in claim 20, wherein the water-soluble metal oxide nanoparticles having the size of around 9 nm exhibit a transversal relaxivity of around 425 mMol⁻¹·s⁻¹and a longitudinal relaxivity of around 32 mMol⁻¹·s⁻¹.

24. The method as claimed in claim 20, wherein the decomposition temperature of the reactant is lower than the boiling point of the polyol.

25. The method as claimed in claim 20, wherein the reactant is Fe(acac)₃and the polyol is diethylene glycol.

26. The method as claimed in claim 25, wherein the water-soluble metal oxide nanoparticles correspond to water-soluble iron oxide nanoparticles.

27. The method as claimed in claim 20, wherein the reactant is selected from a group comprising of Mn(acac)₂, Ni(acac)₂, Co(acac)₂and Fe(C₂H₃O₂)₂.

Title

Method for continuous growth of water-soluble magnetic nanomaterials

Inventor(s)

Yongfeng Zhao

Assignee(s)

Jackson State University

Patent #

20200262715

Patent Date

August 20, 2020