We report here on the synthesis and stabilization of Al NPs in which long-chain saturated hydrocarbons can be used as solvents for synthesis of AlNPs in the absence of any of the common capping agents.  We synthesize Al NPs using long chain saturated hydrocarbons or polyethylene (PE) as capping and stabilizing agents (C12 up to high molecular weight PE).  We observe formation of a particularly long-term airstable composite using 4000 MW PE.  The resulting composite is stable in humd air.  After 3 weeks, fcc Al peaks could still be found in Powder XRD.  Surprisingly, the solidstate NMR spectrum shows a broad peak in the aluminum hydride region.  This suggests the formation of alanate NPs in the core of the nanocomposite structure.

Alkane-capped aluminum nanoparticles

240th National Meeting (2010)

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