Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 February 2011
A novel and efficient technique for the generation of nanoscale metal particles by the electron beam decomposition of metal hydrides and azides is presented. Nanoscale metal particles down to ∼ 25 Å in diameter can be generated from metal hydrides e.g. copper from CuH and from metal azides e.g. silver from AgN3. The technique has been successfully applied to Be, Mg, Al, Cu, Pd, Ti, ‘Mn, Ni, Ag, Sn, Fe, Bi, Cd, Sb, Ln and Tl.