Scientists at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL)
Materials Science and Technology Division have developed a novel one-step
process using, for the first time in these types of syntheses, potassium
superoxide (KO2) to rapidly form oxide nanoparticles from simple salt solutions
in water.
"Typically, the
synthesis of oxide nanoparticles involves the slow reaction of a weak oxidizing
agent, such as hydrogen peroxide, with dilute solutions of metal salts or
complexes in both aqueous and non-aqueous solvent systems," said Dr. Thomas
Sutto, NRL research chemist. "The rapid exothermic reaction of potassium
superoxide with the salt solutions results in the formation of insoluble oxide
or hydroxide nanoparticulates."