Method of purifying nanoparticles in a colloid

US8491768B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• International Business Machines Corporation · US

Inventors

• Xin Ai · Matthews, US
• John David Bass · South San Francisco, US
• Ho-Cheol Kim · San Jose, US
• Robert D. Miller · San Jose, US
• John Campbell Scott · Los Gatos, US
• Qing Song · San Jose, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 23, 2010
• Grant date: Jul 23, 2013
• Expiry date: Nov 7, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B03C5/026
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Nanoparticles in a colloid are purified, with the colloid including a fluid, unwanted matter, and the nanoparticles to be purified. An electric field is applied that is substantially spatially uniform over a distance that is at least equal to a characteristic dimension of the nanoparticles, so that at least some of the nanoparticles move towards at least one collection surface as a result of the force arising between their electrical charge and the electric field, whereupon nanoparticles are collected on said at least one collection surface. The collection surface(s) may be one or more electrodes to which a voltage potential is applied. The collected nanoparticles are then removed from the collection surface, e.g., by dispersing them into another fluid.