Abstract

Gadolinium colloids have been prepared by Chemical Liquid Deposition (CLD). The metal is cocondensed with 2-methoxyethanol to yield solvated metal atoms at liquid nitrogen temperature and upon warming stable liquid colloids are formed with several ranges of particle size depending on the amount of metal used. Zeta potentials (ξ) were calculated according to the convention of Hunter and the Hückel equation, for most of these negatively charged particles. Upon solvent removal, colloidal particles coalesce to form active solids, which contain some residual solvent. The synthesis of colloids and active solids from Gd with 2-methoxyethanol is reported. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) allows us to determine particle size ranging from 20 to 30 nm.. The UV-vis studies of the metal colloids reveals absorption bands at 241 and 298 nm. This studies indicate that organic solvents are solvating metal clusters.