Photochemical formation of colloidal metals

Colloidal silver and gold have been formed by irradiation of AgClO4 and HAuCl4 solutions with 253.7 nm light in the presence of protective agents such as sodium dodecylsulphate, sodium alginate and colloidal silica. Absorption maxima of colloidal silver and gold have been observed at 390–420 and 540–560 nm, respectively. Colloidal metals have been purified by dialysis and their amounts analysed quantitatively. The quantum yields of metal deposition are 0.053–0.15 for colloidal silver and 0.030–0.039 for colloidal gold. The quantum yield is increased several times by the use of protective agents, with the exception of a AgClO4–sodium alginate solution.