A novel method of preparing nano-sized gold and palladium particles dispersed in composites that uses the thermal relaxation technique

Abstract

Stable nana-sized gold and palladium particles dispersed in composites were prepared by way of the thermal relaxation technique. Continuous formation and dispersion of metal particles into a nylon-11 oligomer film were achieved by the heating of the oligomer film to 46 °C during a vapor deposition of the metal. The mean particle size in the composite was 4.4 nm (S.D. = 1.7 nm) for the gold particles prepared by the deposition of about 3.6 × 1018 atoms cm−2. For the palladium particles the particle size was 2.3 nm (S.D. = 0.67 nm) and the deposition 4.2 × 1018 atoms cm−2. The obtained composite of gold or palladium particles was readily dissolved in CH2Cl2, producing stable colloidal solutions. The procedure reported here is very effective for preparing a great deal of metal particles dispersed in composites.