Colloidal copper in aqueous solutions: radiation-chemical reduction, mechanism of formation and properties

Colloidal copper was obtained upon γ-irradiation of aqueous solutions of divalent copper perchlorate in the presence of alcohol and polyethyleneimine (PEI). The sols were in the form of spherical particles 4 nm in diameter, which were promptly oxidized by oxygen or other oxidants. The copper ions were reduced on the surface of silver sols. The optical parameters of the obtained bimetallic particles were studied. The copper ions led to the broadening and shift of the absorption bands of the silver sols to the UV region