This invention relates to polymetallooxanes having the moiety: ##STR1## wherein n is 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, M.sup.1 is selected from the group consisting of Si, Ge, Sn, Al, Ga, Ti, Zr, or Hf, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are selected from the group consisting of H, OH, C.sub.1-8 alkyl, C.sub.1-6 alkoxy, C.sub.2-8 alkene, C.sub.6-12 aryl, C.sub.1-8 hydroxyalkyl, C.sub.1-8 thioalkyl, C.sub.2-12 alkoxyalkyl, C.sub.4-20 heteroaromatic, C.sub.1-10 alkylsilane, C.sub.1-10 alkylsiloxane or combinations thereof, O' is bonded to M.sup.1, another M.sup.1 atom, M.sup.2 or H, wherein M.sup.2 is a group I or II metal of the Periodic Table, and R.sup.3 is independently selected from the group consisting of (CR.sub.2).sub.y, O'--(CR.sub.2 CR.sub.2).sub.y N(CR.sub.2).sub.y --, --(CR.sub.2 CR.sub.2).sub.y N.sub.R (CR.sub.2).sub.y --, O'--[(CR.sub.2 CR.sub.2).sub.y O].sub.y --(CR.sub.2).sub.y, C.sub.1-8 alkyl, C.sub.1-6 alkoxy, C.sub.2-8 alkene, C.sub.6-12 aryl, C.sub.1-8 hydroxyalkyl, C.sub.1-8 thioalkyl, C.sub.2-12 alkoxyalkyl, C.sub.4-20 heteroaromatic, C.sub.1-10 alkylsilane, C.sub.1-10 alkylsiloxane or combinations thereof wherein R is selected from the group consisting of H, OH, C.sub.1-8 alkyl, C.sub.1-6 alkoxy, C.sub.2-8 alkene, C.sub.6-12 aryl, C.sub.1-8 hydroxyalkyl, C.sub.1-8 thioalkyl, C.sub.2-12 alkoxyalkyl, C.sub.4-20 heteroaromatic, C.sub.1-10 alkylsilane, C.sub.1-10 alkylsiloxane or combinations thereof, and wherein y is a number 1 to 10. Also described is a method of producing the claimed polymetallooxanes.
A process for the preparation of polymetallooxanes employing inexpensive metal sources such as sand, alumina, and rutile involves dissolving one or more group IIIa, IVa, IVb metaloxy compounds such as metal oxides, metal hydroxides, or hydrates thereof with a di- or polyhydroxyl functional compound in the presence of an amine or alkanolamine. The polymetallooxane products are anionic, neutral, or mixed neutral/anionic moieties, which, when anionic, contain a metallic counterion (cation) or an ammonium or phosphonium ion. Mixed polymetallooxanes, as well as homo polymetallooxanes which may be prepared by the subject process, are suitable for use in preparing coatings, fibers, powders, ceramics, and glasses while being easily processable and economic to manufacture.
A composition of matter, comprising: a chemically functionalized carboxylate-alumoxane that is functionalized with a chemically reactive substituent, and a reactive compound, wherein the chemically reactive substituent reacts with the reactive compound so as to link the carboxylate-alumoxane to the reactive compound and form a polymer matrix. The functional groups on the carboxylate-alumoxane can vary depending on the desired properties of the matrix. Also, the composition of matter may comprise a cross-linked matrix in which the cross-linked components consist of functionalized alumoxanes.
This invention relates generally to a method for controlling the pore size, pore size distribution and porosity of aluminum-oxide based ceramics through the choice of substituents on carboxylate-alumoxanes and aluminum-oxide nanoparticles. The method allows for the formation of intra-granular pores in the nanometer range to be created in alumina and aluminum oxide ceramic bodies. The control over pore size and pore size distribution is accomplished through the use of different chemical substituents on the carboxylate-alumoxanes and aluminum-oxide nanoparticles. The size and distribution of pores within the alumina-oxide ceramic are dependent on the identity of the carboxylate substituents. In particular the formation of intra-versus inter-granular porosity is dependent on the identity of the carboxylate substituents. The invention also provides methods for the manufacture of ceramic coatings on ceramic and carbon fibers for composite applications and ceramic membranes with nanometer sized pores. The pore size, pore size distribution and porosity, and hence the strength, permeability and surface adhesion, of the ceramic coating is controlled by the choice of substituent on the carboxylate-alumoxane. Thermolysis of self supporting spun layers of the carboxylate-alumoxanes results in disks of alumina with controlled pore size, pore size distribution and porosity. In an alternative method a porous substrate is dipped or coated with a solution of the carboxylate-alumoxane, followed by thermolysis to produce a composite membrane.
A method for forming carboxylate-alumoxane nanoparticles comprises subjecting a mixture comprising boehmite and carboxylic acid to mechanical shear. The method can be carried out at a temperature above ambient and preferably a temperature greater than 80.degree. C., and can be carried out in the absence of a liquid phase.
The present invention relates to ferroxanes and a method of making wherein a ferroxane may be defined by the general formula [Fe(O).sub.x (OH).sub.y (O.sub.2 CR).sub.z ].sub.n wherein x, y and z may be any integer or fraction such that 2x+y+z=3 and n may be any integer. The ferroxanes may be doped with at least one other element other than iron. The present invention further relates to a ceramic made from the ferroxanes of the present invention and a method of making. The present invention still further relates to supported and unsupported membranes made from the ceramic of the present invention.
