Low-temperature synthesis of transition metal nanoparticles from metal complexes and organopolysilane oligomers

Abstract

Mo, W, and Cu nanoparticles (5-50 nm) are synthesized from reactions employing a metal complex, such as MoO2Cl2(DME), MoCl5, WCl6, ((CuOBu)-Bu-t)(4), or CuCl2, and a organopolysilane oligomer Si(SiMe3)(4) or (SiMe2)(6) either in a hexane solution (343 K) or in a sealed tube (473-673 K). Oxo- and chlorophilicities of the silyl groups provide for an energetically favored reaction route to reduce the metal complexes. The reaction byproducts are removed easily either by evaporation or dissolution into hydrocarbon solvents. It is proposed that the homogeneous mixing of the reactants in vapor and solution phases allows the association and growth of molecules into small clusters, then into nanosized metal particles.