abstract |
Methods for making metal-based nanoparticles and inks are disclosed. In accordance with the method of the present invention, molecular metal precursors are reduced in the presence of a reaction medium to form the nanoparticles. The molecular metal precursors are preferably reduced by heating the metal precursor in the medium, by adding a reducing agent, such an aldehyde or a combination thereof. Metal precursor are preferably metal oxides, transition metal complexes or combination thereof. The method of the present invention is used to make high yield nanoparticles with a range of particle size distributions. Nanoparticle formed by the present invention include mixtures of nanoparticle, alloy nanoparticles, metal core shell nanoparticles or nanoparticle comprising a single metal species. |