Solvated metal atom dispersion
Solvated metal atom dispersion is a method of producing highly reactive solvated nanoparticles. Samples of a metal are heated to evaporate free atoms, as in PVD evaporation. This vapor is then co-deposited with a suitable organic solvent at very low temperatures to form a solid mixture of the two. This is then warmed towards room temperature, producing solvated metal atoms or larger clusters. Sometimes, catalyst supports are added to improve nucleation, as the process can more readily take place on surface OH groups.