Bredig's arc method
Encyclopedia
Method of preparation of colloidal solution, of metals like gold
, silver
, platinum
etc.
This method comprises both of dispersion and condensation. An arc is struck between electrode
s, under the surface of water containing some stabilizing agent such as traces of KOH (potassium hydroxide
).The intense heat of the arc vaporizes some of the metal which then condenses under cold water.The water is kept cold an an ice bath.
This method is not suitable when the dispersion medium is an organic liquid as considerable charring
occurs.
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
, silver
Silver
Silver is a metallic chemical element with the chemical symbol Ag and atomic number 47. A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it has the highest electrical conductivity of any element and the highest thermal conductivity of any metal...
, platinum
Platinum
Platinum is a chemical element with the chemical symbol Pt and an atomic number of 78. Its name is derived from the Spanish term platina del Pinto, which is literally translated into "little silver of the Pinto River." It is a dense, malleable, ductile, precious, gray-white transition metal...
etc.
This method comprises both of dispersion and condensation. An arc is struck between electrode
Electrode
An electrode is an electrical conductor used to make contact with a nonmetallic part of a circuit...
s, under the surface of water containing some stabilizing agent such as traces of KOH (potassium hydroxide
Potassium hydroxide
Potassium hydroxide is an inorganic compound with the formula KOH, commonly called caustic potash.Along with sodium hydroxide , this colorless solid is a prototypical strong base. It has many industrial and niche applications. Most applications exploit its reactivity toward acids and its corrosive...
).The intense heat of the arc vaporizes some of the metal which then condenses under cold water.The water is kept cold an an ice bath.
This method is not suitable when the dispersion medium is an organic liquid as considerable charring
Charring
Charring is a chemical process of incomplete combustion of certain solids when subjected to high heat. The resulting residue matter is called Char. By the action of heat, charring removes hydrogen and oxygen from the solid, so that the remaining char is composed primarily of carbon...
occurs.