Preparation and Stability of Gold Colloid by Electrical Explosion of Wire in Various Media

Gold colloids were prepared by electrical explosion of wire in various media: cold water (0 °C), room temperature water (25 °C), hot water (80 °C), 0.01 M polysorbate surfactant 20(TW 20) solution, mixture of 0.01 M TW 20 and 0.01 M ascorbic acid. The size distribution of nanoparticles measured by transmission electron microscope was found to shift to a smaller size with a decrease of temperature and a presence of TW 20 surfactant. The multiple light scattering results showed that medium temperature and ambient medium of explosion process is much influence on the stability of colloid. The gold colloid prepared in cold water is unstable in comparison with one prepared in warm and hot water. The best stability of gold colloid obtained with explosion medium of TW 20 and ascorbic acid solution.