Monodisperse copper‐ and silver‐nanocolloids suitable for heat‐conductive fluids

Copper colloid was prepared via reductive stabilization. The suspension of the trioctylaluminum‐stabilized copper colloid was peptized using Korantin SH and cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL). Fluids with particle sizes <10 nm were obtained with Korantin and 7–15 nm in the case of CNSL. However, the copper colloid is air sensitive. A very straightforward one‐step method leads to air‐stable silver nanofluids. Thermal decomposition of silver lactate in the presence of Korantin SH and mineral oil as the medium gave a silver nanofluid. Silver particle formation and air stability were monitored using UV–VIS spectroscopy. The presence of monodispersed spherical silver nanoparticles was confirmed. Transmission electron microscopy showed a two‐dimensional assembly of the silver particles with a size distribution of 9.5 ± 0.7 nm. FTIR has revealed information about the interaction between the surfactant and the silver surface.