Gallium nanoparticles by surface wet disaggregation and abrasion

Nanoparticles of zerovalent Gallium have been produced by surface disaggregation carried out by means of mechanical abrasion in aqueous phase where capping agents have been dissolved. The particles have been characterized in diameter by dynamic light scattering. At a constant grinding force acting on metal surface, it has been observed that the dimension of the as-produced particles is correlated with the physico-chemical properties of the capping agents. Green and eco-friendly stabilizers like glucose and urea showed a higher efficiency than standard capping agents. Such technique proves that metal particles can be obtained without resorting to complex processes relying upon expensive and energy-wasting mechanical apparatuses based on autogenous and non-autogenous disaggregation. The present method, owing to the absence of toxic or noxious reagents usually employed in standard wet chemical etching processes, may represent a cost-effective and environmentally friendly technique for the synthesis of soft metal particles dispersions with application in theranostics and for heat transfer technologies in mechanical and electronic engineering.