摘要:
A method for producing a colloid of metallic nanoparticles including the steps of: providing metal ions in solution; providing a stabilizing agent; and reducing said metal ions in the presence of said stabilizing agent, so that metallic nanoparticles are formed with a surrounding layer of said stabilizing agent, wherein the reduction step is carried out at a temperature of not less than 20° C. and not more than 150° C. The metallic nanoparticles are formed of a mixture of transition metal and noble metal, such as Ni—Pd. The resultant nanoparticles have a high stability in terms of size and chemical degradation and so can be stored for long periods. They are therefore particularly suited for forming patterned nanoparticle arrays on a substrate by nanocontact printing for the subsequent formation of a corresponding array of carbon nanotubes or nanofibers via plasma enhanced CVD.