Patent ID: 7767063
Filing Date: 2010-08-03
Classification: B01J,B82Y

Abstract:
1. A process for producing a superparamagnetic aerogel material containing zero-valent metal particles comprising: providing an aerogel material comprising silica, at least one organic polymer with a polar functional group and a metal ion-containing species, wherein the polar functional group of the organic polymer is selected from the group consisting of amine, carbonyl, acylamine, protonated amine, hydroxyl, and carboxyl groups; irradiating the aerogel material with ultraviolet light sufficiently to cause the photoreduction of the metal ion-containing species to produce the zero-valent metal particles; and reacting the photoreduced aerogel material with a precursor to a superparamagnetic material to produce the superparamagnetic aerogel material containing the zero-valent metal particles.