Preparation of metal nanosuspensions by high-pressure dc-sputtering on running liquids

A modified VERL-process (Vacuum evaporation on running liquids) employing high pressure magnetron sputtering has been used for the preparation of metal nanosuspensions.The method has been tested in the case of Ag/organic liquid and Fe/organic liquid suspensions by varying the pressure of the Argon sputtering atmosphere in the range of 1 to 30 Pa. A sharp particle size distribution with a mean particle diameter ranging from 5-15 nm has been found. The mean particle size increases with increasing Argon pressure. A descriptive model for the process of particle formation as a function of sputtering gas pressure has been developed.