Preparation of nanometer-size amorphous powders of arsenic by γ-irradiation at room temperature

Nanometer-size powders (10–30 nm average size) of amorphous arsenic with a narrow size distribution were prepared for the first time from the solution containing arsenic (III) oxide by γ-irradiation at room temperature. The products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Differential thermal analysis (DTA) showed that the crystallization temperature of amorphous arsenic prepared was 308.9°C.