Metal nanofoams via a facile microwave-assisted solvothermal process

Chem Commun (Camb). 2017 Jan 16;53(5):865-868. doi: 10.1039/c6cc08322f. Epub 2016 Dec 21.

Abstract

A novel, facile, non-hazardous, low temperature/pressure microwave solvothermal method of producing pure copper, silver, and nickel metal nanofoams is presented. The nanofoams have been produced using inexpensive metal acetates and polyglycol solvent. The nanofoam formation proceeds in two steps within a single-pot synthesis: formation of metal nanoparticles, followed by the sintering of nanoparticles into nanofoams. The nanofoams have many potential uses in clean energy applications, particularly lithium-ion batteries.