Silica nanofibers and method for preparing them
US6692715B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 30, 2001 |
| Grant date | Feb 17, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 1, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB01J35/58
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Disclosed are novel silica gel nanofibers having an outer diameter lower than 100 nm, a length of up to 1 cm, a specific surface area of from 600 to 1000 m2/g and pore diameters of from 2 to 10 nm. Also disclosed are novel silica glass nanofibers having an outer diameter and a length similar to that of the above silica gel fibers. The silica gel nanofibers are prepared by reacting chrysotile in an aqueous solution containing a controlled-proton-releasing agent and cation-complexing agent, whereby the cations of the silicate are replaced by protons and dissolved, with production of solid fibrous and amorphous hydrated silica. The silica glass nanofibers are made by dehydrating the silica gel nanofibers at temperatures close to 1000° C. These nanofibers have numerous potential applications, especially due to their capacity to adsorb or absorb ions and metals, especially catalytically useful metals such as copper and silver.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.