Electrode-nanoparticle collisions: The measurement of the sticking coefficients of gold and nickel nanoparticles from aqueous solution onto a carbon electrode

We present experimental results to determine the proportion of nanoparticle (NP) impacts that result in adsorbed NPs, using gold and nickel nanoparticles (AuNPs/NiNPs) in collision with a glassy carbon electrode. Results are given for NP radii of 10 nm (Au) and 26 nm (Ni), as well as a range of electrode potentials. No significant systematic trends were found in either case, and the sticking coefficients were found to be s = 0.19 +/- 0.03 for Au and s < 0.01 for Ni. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.