Argon clusters additional potentials

Radiolysis has been used successfully in order to synthesize various noble (such as silver, gold and platinum) and non-noble (such as nickel and iron) metal nanoparticles in aqueous solution and also in other solvents such as alcohols. Due to their relatively low redox potential compared to that of the bulk, metal clusters can be oxygen-sensitive. However, the deoxygenation (by bubbling with an inert gas such as argon or nitrogen) of the solutions prior to irradiation and their study under inert atmosphere prevent their oxidation. Moreover, since water radiolysis leads to the formation of protons in addition to that of hydrated electrons, radio-induced acidification of the medium may lead to non-noble metal clusters corrosion. Therefore, to avoid the oxidation by protons, the solutions can be prepared in slightly basic medium. 

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