Abstract

In this work metallic colloidal dispersions were obtained by simultaneous cocondensation of nickel atoms with organic solvents at 77 K. The atoms were produced by resistive heating and were reacted with 2-propanol, 2-methoxyethanol, 2-ethoxyethanol and acetone to produce colloids. The kinetic stability of colloid dispersions was related to the solvation effect of organic molecules, e.g. low stability for ketones and higher stability for 2-propanol colloids. The colloidal particles were characterized by UV-Vis measurements showing an absorption band around 212 nm. The electrophoretic measurements reveal that particles are weakly positively charged. The transmission electron microscopy studies reveal an average particles size distribution ranging from 4 to 23 nm depending on the solvent. Most of the colloids exhibit a spherical shape with some degree of agglomeration.