Silver Colloids from Nonaqueous Solvents

Silver colloids have been prepared by chemical liquid deposition. The metals were cocondensed at 77 K with organic solvents to produce solvated metal atoms, and upon warming, stable liquid colloids were formed with several ranges of particle size, depending on the metal and concentration used. Upon solvent removal, colloidal particles coalesced to form films that contained some residual solvent. The synthesis of colloids and films from Ag with acetone, THF, 2-propanol, 2-methoxyethanol, 2-ethoxyethanol, 4-methyl-2-pentanone, ethanolamine, and 2-methoxyethylamine is reported. Particle size of the colloids was determined by transmission electron microscopy. Elemental analysis of the films allowed us to determine their composition. The thermal stability was obtained by thermogravimetry.