Zinc colloids and zinc metal films have been prepared by Chemical Liqu
id Deposition (CLD) from non-aqueous solvents. The goal is the synthes
is of new colloids from another approach in order to obtain zinc collo
ids and from them reactive solids for organic reductions. The zinc is
evaporated to yield atoms which are solvated at low temperature (77 de
grees K) and during the warm up colloidal sets are obtained. The chara
cterization of these colloids was achieved by several studies such as
stability, electrophoresis, flocculation speed, and transmission elect
ron microscopy. organic solvents such as acetone, 2-butanone, isobutyl
methyl ketone, tetrahydrofurane, N,N-dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfo
xide, ethanol, 2-propanol, benzene and toluene, were used. These studi
es are showing that zinc colloids are very reactive in the presence of
oxygen. Their particles are spherical and negatively charged. Upon so
lvent removal these colloidal particles grow to form metallic films, w
hich contain some residual solvent. Characterization of these films by
FTIR, thermogravimetry (TG) and electron microscopy have been carried
out. These studies are showing that the solvents are incorporated int
o the films. TG studies reveal that the loss of fragments occurs after
300 degrees C. Scanning electron microscopy gives us their surface mo
rphology. The films are showing a metal composition ranging from 65.0
to 80% w/w and the carbon content is very low (around 1% w/w). The fil
ms are extremely reactive in the presence of oxygen.