Abstract

Pd/Ag bimetallic particles are dispersed in acetone, 2-propanol and 2-methoxyethanol. The colloids are prepared by codeposition of the vapors of metals and solvents at 77 K. The stabilities of the Pd/Ag colloids are in the order acetone>2-methoxyethanol~2-propanol. The particles are studied by transmission electron microscopy to determine their size and also by electron diffraction to study their crystal structure. The Pd/Ag samples exhibit more than one metallic phase in the different solvents, these being Pd, Ag and Pd/Ag. The crystallinity is controlled by the Pd/Ag ratio; the crystalline phases in the bimetallic particles can be observed using the dark field technique. The differential scanning calorimetry of Pd/Ag–2-methoxyethanol solids shows three exothermic peaks in which phase transformation, microcrystal growth and solvent decomposition of the solvent in the solid are observed. However, the differential scanning calorimetry of Pd/Ag–acetone solids shows two exothermic peaks.