Current methods of preparing catalytically active and non-catalytically active metals do not provide a means of consistently controlling the size, size distribution, and surface composition of these particles. UCLA researchers have recently developed a method of preparing monodisperse sized particles of uniform shape with well-defined surface compositions. Catalytically active metals such as platinum, palladium, and silver and non-catalytically active metals such as gold have been prepared.

In catalytic processes, the size and morphology of the particle is often of great concern as it determines catalytic reactivity and selectivity. Organically-functionalized nanometer-scale particles of catalytically-active metals have extremely high surface areas (a large number of catalytically active sites per particle) and unique size-dependent chemical behavior. This enables their application in a variety of homogenous and heterogeneous catalytic processes from petroleum cracking to polymer synthesis. The Pt, Pd, and Ag particles prepared by the UCLA researchers would be applicable here.

In reprographic processes, uniform particle size distributions lead to uniform film quality, and small particle sizes lead to enhanced film resolution. Specifically, it is small silver particles that form the amplification center in these conventional photographic processes. The Ag particles prepared by the UCLA researchers would be applicable here. Gold colloids are often employed as size-markers for measuring the dimensions of biological structures.

Reference: UCLA Case No. 1995-560

US Patent Number: 6,103,868