Reactions of nanoparticles inside a polyethylene matrix: Reduction of lead(II) and mercury(II) oxides by supercritical isopropanol

Methods were developed for manufacturing of isolated nanoparticles of lead(II) and mercury(II) oxides produced by the thermal decomposition of metal compounds in a solution-melt of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) in mineral oil. The PbO and HgO nanoparticles stabilized in the LDPE matrix were characterized using X-ray powder diffraction and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The metal oxides in the polyethylene matrix were reacted with a supercritical fluid of isopropanol (SCF i-PrOH). The PbO in the nanoparticles was reduced to the metal as a result of the reaction with SCF i-PrOH. When SCF i-PrOH was reacted with the HgO nanoparticles stabilized in the LDPE matrix, the oxide was also reduced to the metal. TEM showed that the nanoparticles were conserved after their reaction with SCF i-PrOH.