Study of thermal stability of AgCu nanoparticles by Knudsen effusion mass spectrometry

Thermal stability and surface effects on AgCu nanoparticles synthesized in solution of diethylene glycol and polyvinylpyrrolidone were investigated by Knudsen effusion mass spectrometry during slow heating. Selection of a mass range for mass spectra monitoring was performed on the basis of data acquired by direct inlet probe mass spectrometry. As follows from the measurements, the organic substance which protects the nanoparticles against coagulation suddenly and quantitatively evaporates at elevated temperatures during the heating process. The AgCu alloy and coating from inner part of Knudsen cell as products of the heating were analysed by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The data were subsequently used for specification of surface effects on the nanoalloys.