Plasma-liquid electrochemistry: Rapid synthesis of colloidal metal nanoparticles by microplasma reduction of aqueous cations
Abstract
We demonstrate operation of an aqueous electrochemical cell with an atmospheric-pressure microplasma cathode and a solid metal anode for the rapid production of colloidal metal nanoparticles. Microplasmas are miniaturized versions of low-pressure glow discharges that operate nonthermally at high pressures (∼1atm) and contain energetic electrons. Aqueous metal cations are directly reduced by electrons in the microplasma without the presence of a solid cathode or chemical reducing agents. Kinetic studies performed by UV-visible absorbance spectroscopy suggest that particle nucleation and growth are coupled to redox reactions initiated in the electrochemical cell through plasma-liquid interactions.
- Publication:
-
Applied Physics Letters
- Pub Date:
- September 2008
- DOI:
- 10.1063/1.2988283
- Bibcode:
- 2008ApPhL..93m1501R
- Keywords:
-
- 82.33.Xj;
- 82.45.Fk;
- 82.70.Dd;
- 82.80.Dx;
- 62.50.-p;
- 82.30.-b;
- Plasma reactions;
- Electrodes;
- Colloids;
- Analytical methods involving electronic spectroscopy;
- High-pressure effects in solids and liquids;
- Specific chemical reactions;
- reaction mechanisms