Formation of metallic minerals in the presence of natural exopolymers or lipids

摘要

The formation of nano-clusters of zero-valent metals & alloys, e.g. Cu, Ag or FeCo (Fe_(26)Co_(24)) of sizes between 0.5 nm & 12 nm show surface plasma bonds between 500-566 nm. The reduction of the metal salts to colloidal metals or to metal oxides of finite sizes in the presence of lipid A or exopolymers can be enhanced through addition of less than 10 molecules of didocyldimethylammonium hydroxide per biosurfactant micelle in the presence of 10 μM L-threo-l,4-dimercapto-2,3-dibutandiol. The addition of the cationic surfactant influences the shape and the size of the crystalline nanomaterials. Due to the low CMC of lipid A or the exopolymer which is not affected by the cationic surfactant, enables one to produce discrete sizes of e.g. Cu or Fe-oxides as nano-crystals revealing magnetic, recording & light sensitive properties.