Abstract:
A method of Improving the efficiency of a diesel engine provided with a s ource of diesel fuel includes the steps of: a) adding to the diesel fuel a r everse-micellar composition having an aqueous first disperse phase that incl udes a free radical initiator and a first continuous phase that includes a f irst hydrocarbon liquid, a first surfactant, and optionally a co-surfactant, thereby producing a modified diesel fuel; and b) operating the engine, ther eby combusting the modified diesel fuel. The efficiency of a diesel engine p rovided with a source of diesel fuel and a source of lubricating oil can als o be improved by modifying the lubricating oil by the addition of a stabiliz ed nanoparticulate composition of cerium dioxide. The efficiency of a diesel engine can also be improved by adding to the diesel fuel a reverse-micellar composition that includes an aqueous disperse phase containing boric acid o r a borate salt.
Abstract:
A fuel additive composition includes: a) a reverse-micellar composition h aving an aqueous disperse phase that includes cerium dioxide nanoparticles i n a continuous phase that includes a hydrocarbon liquid, a surfactant, and o ptionally a co-surfactant and b) a reverse micellar composition having an aq ueous disperse phase that includes a cetane improver effective for improving engine power during fuel combustion. A method of making a cerium-containing fuel additive includes the steps of: a) providing a mixture of a nonpolar s olvent, a surfactant, and a co-surfactant; and b) combining the mixture with an aqueous suspension of stabilized cerium dioxide nanoparticles.
Abstract:
A method for forming a structured doped cerium oxide nanoparticle including the steps of forming a first aqueous cerium(lll) reaction mixture, with optional metal/s other than cerium, a base, and a stabilizer; introducing an oxidant to singly oxidize cerium (III), followed by thermal formation of a doped cerium oxide nanoparticle core; then providing a second reaction mixture of one or more metal ions other than cerium, and optionally cerium (III) ions and sufficient cerium (III) oxidant, followed by thermally converting the mixture into a shell around the doped cerium oxide nanoparticle core, wherein the ratio of metal ions in the core differs from the ratio of metal ions in the shell. The disclosed structured doped cerium oxide nanoparticle may exhibit cubic fluorite crystal structure and possess a diameter in the range 1 nm-20 nm. A dispersion of the developed nanoparticle may be used as a fuel additive.
Abstract:
This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/311,416, STRUCTURED CATALYTIC NANOPARTICLES AND METHOD OF PREPARATION, filed March 8, 2010. This application is also related to: PCT/US07/077545, METHOD OF PREPARING CERIUM DIOXIDE NANOPARTICLES, and PCT/US07/077535, CERIUM DIOXIDE NANOPARTICLE- CONTAINING FUEL ADDITIVE, both filed September 4, 2007; which applications claim the benefit of priority from: Provisional Application Serial No. 60/824,514, CERIUM-CONTAINING FUEL ADDITIVE, filed September 5, 2006; Provisional Application Serial No. 60/911,159, REVERSE MICELLAR FUEL ADDITIVE COMPOSITION, filed April 11, 2007; and Provisional Application Serial No. 60/938,314, REVERSE MICELLAR FUEL ADDITIVE COMPOSITION, filed May 16, 2007. This application is also related to: US2010/0242342, CERIUM-CONTAINING NANOPARTICLES, filed May 13, 2010; and US2010/0152077, PROCESS FOR SOLVENT SHIFTING A NANOPARTICLE DISPERSION, filed August 28, 2009; both applications of which claim the benefit of priority from PCT/US2008/087133, FUEL ADDITIVE CONTAINING LATTICE ENGINEERED CERIUM DIOXIDE NANOPARTICLES, filed December 17, 2008. The disclosures of all of these applications are incorporated herein by reference.
Abstract:
A process for making cerium-containing oxide nanoparticles includes providing an aqueous reaction mixture containing a source of cerous ion, optionally a source of one or more metal ions (M) other than cerium, a source of hydroxide ion, at least one monoether carboxylic acid nanoparticle stabilizer wherein the molar ratio of said monoether carboxylic acid nanoparticle stabilizers to total metal ions is greater than 0.2, and an oxidant at an initial temperature in the range of about 20°C to about 95°C. Temperature conditions are provided effective to enable oxidation of cerous ion to ceric ion, thereby forming a product dispersion of cerium-containing oxide nanoparticles, optionally containing one or more metal ions (M), Ce 1-x M x O 2-δ , wherein "x" has a value from about 0.0 to about 0.95. The nanoparticles may have a mean hydrodynamic diameter from about 1 nm to about 50 nm, and a geometric diameter of less than about 45 nm.
Abstract:
Improved methods for producing colloidal dispersions of cerium-containing oxide nanoparticles in substantially non-polar solvents is disclosed. The cerium-containing oxide nanoparticles of an aqueous colloid are transferred to a substantially non-polar liquid comprising one or more amphiphilic materials, one or more low-polarity solvents, and, optionally, one or more glycol ether promoter materials. The transfer is achieved by mixing the aqueous and substantially non-polar materials, forming an emulsion, followed by a phase separation into a remnant polar solution phase and a substantially non-polar organic colloid phase. The organic colloid phase is then collected. The promoter functions to speed the transfer of nanoparticles to the low-polarity phase. The promoter accelerates the phase separation, and also provides improved colloidal stability of the final substantially non-polar colloidal dispersion. The glycol ether promoter reduces the temperature necessary to achieve the phase separation, while providing high extraction yield of nanoparticles into the low-polarity organic phase. In addition, use of particular amphiphilic materials, such as heptanoic acid or octanoic acid, enable efficient extractions at ambient temperatures without the use of a glycol ether promoter.
Abstract:
A process for making cerium-containing oxide nanoparticles includes providing an aqueous reaction mixture containing a source of cerous ion, optionally a source of one or more metal ions (M) other than cerium, a source of hydroxide ion, at least one monoether carboxylic acid nanoparticle stabilizer wherein the molar ratio of said monoether carboxylic acid nanoparticle stabilizers to total metal ions is greater than 0.2, and an oxidant at an initial temperature in the range of about 20°C to about 95°C. Temperature conditions are provided effective to enable oxidation of cerous ion to ceric ion, thereby forming a product dispersion of cerium-containing oxide nanoparticles, optionally containing one or more metal ions (M), Ce1-xMxO2-d, wherein "x" has a value from about 0.0 to about 0.95. The nanoparticles may have a mean hydrodynamic diameter from about 1 nm to about 50 nm, and a geometric diameter of less than about 45 nm.
Abstract:
A method of making cerium-containing metal oxide nanoparticles in non-polar solvent eliminates the need for solvent shifting steps. The direct synthesis method involves: (a) forming a reaction mixture of a source of cerous ion and a carboxylic acid, and optionally, a hydrocarbon solvent; and optionally further comprises a non-cerous metal ion; (b) heating the reaction mixture to oxidize cerous ion to ceric ion; and (c) recovering a nanoparticle of either cerium oxide or a mixed metal oxide comprising cerium. The cerium-containing oxide nanoparticles thus obtained have cubic fluorite crystal structure and a geometric diameter in the range of about 1 nanometer to about 20 nanometers. Dispersions of cerium-containing oxide nanoparticles prepared by this method can be used as a component of a fuel or lubricant additive.
Abstract:
A process for making cerium dioxide nanoparticles containing at least one transition metal (M) utilizing a suspension of cerium hydroxide nanoparticles prepared by mechanical shearing of an aqueous mixture containing an oxidant in an amount effective to enable oxidation of cerous ion to eerie ion, thereby forming a product stream that contains transition metal-containing cerium dioxide nanoparticles, Cel-xMxO2, wherein "x" has a value from about 0.3 to about 0.8. The nanoparticles thus obtained have a cubic fluorite structure, a mean hydrodynamic diameter in the range of about 1 nm to about 10 nm, and a geometric diameter of less than about 4 run. The transition metal-containing crystalline cerium dioxide nanoparticles can be used to prepare a dispersion of the particles in a nonpolar medium.
Abstract translation:一种制备含有至少一种过渡金属(M)的二氧化铈纳米颗粒的方法,利用通过机械剪切含有氧化剂的含水混合物制备的氢氧化铈纳米颗粒的悬浮液,所述含水混合物的量可有效地使铈离子氧化成令人惊奇的离子,由此形成 含有过渡金属的二氧化铈纳米颗粒Cel-xM x O 2的产物流,其中“x”具有约0.3至约0.8的值。 由此获得的纳米颗粒具有立方萤石结构,在约1nm至约10nm的范围内的平均流体动力学直径和小于约4nm的几何直径。 可以使用含过渡金属的结晶二氧化铈纳米颗粒来制备颗粒在非极性介质中的分散体。
Abstract:
A method of making cerium dioxide nanoparticles includes: a) providing an aqueous reaction mixture having a source of cerous ion, a source of hydroxide ion, a nanoparticle stabilizer, and an oxidant at an initial temperature no higher than about 20° C.; b) mechanically shearing the mixture and causing it to pass through a perforated screen, thereby forming a suspension of cerium hydroxide nanoparticles; and c) raising the initial temperature to achieve oxidation of cerous ion to eerie ion and thereby form cerium dioxide nanoparticles having a mean diameter in the range of about 1 nm to about 15 nm. The cerium dioxide nanoparticles may be formed in a continuous process.