Formation of Ag–Cu bimetallic hydrosols by the reduction of the solid precursors

The processes of forming Ag, Cu and Ag–Cu nanoparticles by the reduction of respective iodide colloids have been studied. The reduction was found to depend on the precursor solubility, proceeding through the solid phase (for AgI), through solution (for CuI) or in a mixed way (for AgI–CuI solid solution). Silver and copper nanoparticles were shown to be preferably formed upon the reduction of AgI–CuI colloids; bimetallic Ag–Cu nanoparticles are less likely to form.