Palladium atoms in cold acetone, ethanol, and other organic solvents cluster to form living colloidal particles. The Pd colloids are stable for months at room temperature in acetone, and their particle sizes (about 8 nm) vary slightly according to the solvent:Pd ratio and warming procedures. The particles are stabilized by both steric stabilization (solvation) and by incorporation of negative charge. They are "living" in the sense that production of larger particles and films can be accomplished simply by solvent removed. The Pd films formed at room temperature by solvent evaporation have semiconductor properties (rather than metal-like conductivity) due to the incorporation of substantial portions of organic solvent (and small amounts of solvent fragments). Upon heat treatment the films become smoother, give up organic solvent, and decrease in resistivity. These are the first examples of nonaqueous Pd colloids and the first examples of film formation from such colloidal solutions.
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