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  Metal particles and method for producing sameUSPTO Application #: 20060065543Title: Metal particles and method for producing same Abstract: The present invention provides metal particles, in which microfine carbon fibers are uniformly dispersed, and a method of producing such metal particles. The method comprises the steps of: electrolyzing an electrolytic solution, in which the microfine carbon fibers are dispersed, so as to deposit metal particles, in which the microfine carbon fibers are incorporated, on a cathode; and separating the deposited metal particles from the cathode. The separated metal particles are collected, cleaned and dried. (end of abstract)
Agent: Birch Stewart Kolasch & Birch - Falls Church, VA, US Inventors: Susumu Arai, Morinobu Endo, Kouichi Ichiki, Masashi Okubo USPTO Applicaton #: 20060065543 - Class: 205577000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Electrolysis: Processes, Compositions Used Therein, And Methods Of Preparing The Compositions, Electrolytic Synthesis (process, Composition, And Method Of Preparing Composition), Preparing Single Metal, Copper Produced, Utilizing Specified Electrode Other Than Consumable Copper Containing Electrode, Specified Anode, Elemental Carbon Containing (e.g., Graphite, Etc.) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060065543. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY [0001] The present invention relates to metal particles suitable for powder metallurgical materials, electric contact points, battery, electromagnetic interference shield materials, electric conductive materials, contact points of frictional members, slide members, etc. and a method of producing the metal particles. BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY [0002] Composite materials, in which carbon nano tubes or carbon nano fibers (hereinafter referred to as microfine carbon fibers) are dispersed, are known. [0003] A block-shaped composite material disclosed in Japanese Patent Gazette No. 2000-223004 is formed by mixing microfine carbon fibers with metal powders and sintering the mixture. [0004] Diameters of the microfine carbon fibers are extremely small, e.g., 5-50 nm; on the other hand, diameters of ordinary metal powders are 200-1000 nm, so diameters of metal powders are 10 times greater than those of fine carbon fibers. They cannot be uniformly mixed by merely mixing them. [0005] Conventionally, firstly the metal powders are melted in an acid solution. For example, copper powders are melted in an acid solution, e.g., hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid. Then, the micro fine carbon fibers are dispersed in the solution, the mixture is dried and sintered to gain the composite material. [0006] However, the conventional method of producing the composite material has following disadvantages: the steps of melting the metal powders, drying the mixture and sintering the mixture are very troublesome; it takes a long time; and production costs must be high. Further, it is difficult to uniformly disperse a large amount of microfine carbon fibers. [0007] The present invention has been invented to solve the problems of the conventional technology. An object of the present invention is to provide metal particles, in which microfine carbon fibers are uniformly dispersed, and a method of producing the metal particles. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION [0008] The method of producing metal particles of the present invention comprises the steps of: electrolyzing an electrolytic solution, in which the microfine carbon fibers are dispersed, so as to deposit metal particles, in which the microfine carbon fibers are incorporated, on a cathode; and separating the deposited metal particles from the cathode. [0009] The method may further comprise the steps of collecting, cleaning and drying the separated metal particles. [0010] In the method, conditions of said electrolyzing step may be adjusted so as to deposit the metal particles having average particle diameters of several hundred nm to several dozen micro meter. [0011] In the method, the metal particles may be copper particles. [0012] In the method, the metal particles may be separated by soaking the cathode, on which the metal particles are deposited, into acetone and applying supersonic waves. [0013] In the method, the metal particles may be separated from the cathode by spraying compressed air to the cathode or applying shocks or vibrations to the cathode while electrolylzing. [0014] In the method, the microfine carbon fibers may be dispersed in the electrolytic solution by adding a dispersing agent, which is made from an organic compound. [0015] In the method, the dispersing agent may be polyacrylic acid whose molecular weight is 5000 or more. [0016] In the method, a surface of the cathode may be roughed. [0017] The metal particle of the present invention is produced by the method of the present invention. [0018] Further, a composite material can be produced by melting an aggregate of the metal particles of the present invention. [0019] Note that, an aqueous solution, a melted salt and an ionic liquid may be used as the electrolytic solution. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0020] FIG. 1 is a scanning electron micrograph of metal particles of Experiment 1, which are deposited on a cathode; Continue reading... Full patent description for Metal particles and method for producing same Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Metal particles and method for producing same patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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