Patent ID: 9095837
Filing Date: 2015-08-04
Classification: B01J,C02F

Abstract:
1. A method of producing metal nanocomposites, comprising: providing a starting matrix material having at least one functional group capable of reacting with a quaternary amine compound (quat); modifying the starting matrix material with a quat such that the at least one functional group reacts with the quat to form a function site at the starting matrix material and capable of chelating with a metal ion; treating the quat modified matrix material with a metal salt such that a metal ion of the metal salt is chelated with the functional site of the quat modified matrix; treating the metal and quat treated matrix material with an alkali such that a metal ion component chelated to the functional site is transformed to a metal hydroxide component chelated to a functional site; and heating the alkali, metal and quat treated matrix material for a period of time effective to form a plurality of metal nanocomposites, wherein a metal component from at least one of the metal nanocomposites is in a reduced oxidation state comparing with the metal in the metal salt, wherein the starting matrix material is selected from the group consisting of wood, cellulose, chitin, lignin, tannin, silk, protein, wool, chitosan, and derivatives thereof.