Rapid synthesis of nanoscale colloidal metal clusters by microwave irradiation

Uniform and stable polymer-stabilized colloidal clusters of Pt, Ir, Rh, Pd, Au and Ru were synthesized by microwave irradiation with a modified domestic microwave oven. The as-synthesized colloidal clusters have small average diameters and narrow size distributions. The microwave method is characterized by rapid and homogeneous heating compared with conventional heating methods, although its thermal effects are similar to those of other heating methods.