Patent ID: 7384879
Filing Date: 2008-06-10
Classification: B05D,B82Y,C30B,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method for forming nanoparticle thin films comprising: a) providing nanoparticles; b) providing a substrate; c) forming a solution of the nanoparticles dispersed in a liquid solvent wherein the solvent is expandable by a gaseous antisolvent and the gaseous antisolvent is soluble in the liquid solvent and wherein the solution contains the substrate; d) adding a first amount of the gaseous antisolvent to a vessel containing the solution, to pressurize and expand the solution in the vessel, at a rate effective and to a final pressure necessary, to precipitate and deposit the nanoparticles onto the substrate; e) removing the solvent thereby leaving a thin nanoparticle film on the substrate; f) adding a second amount of gaseous antisolvent to the solution effective to mix with and dissolve the solvent away from the nanoparticle coated substrate; g) raising pressure and/or temperature conditions to produce supercritical gaseous antisolvent; and h) maintaining the supercritical conditions for a period of time sufficient to dissolve the solvent and supercritically dry the nanoparticle film.