Preparation of alumina stabilized aqueous Pd colloid by reduction using gamma-radiolysis, UV-photolysis and H2

The techniques of gamma-radiolysis, UV photolysis and hydrogen-induced reduction of aqueous palladium perchlorate to ultrafine particles of Pd, in the presence of alumina sol, have been studied. As compared to H₂-induced reduction, both UV photolytic and gamma-radiolytic reduction methods lead to a very stable, brown colored Pd colloid with relatively less absorption in the higher wavelength region and possessing much smaller volume average particle size (62 and 61 nm, respectively). Higher concentration of alumina sol and increase in pH from 1.8 to 7.2, favour the formation of smaller sized particles as determined by the dynamic light scattering technique.