Patent ID: 8470066

Claim:
A metallic composition comprising a plurality of ultrafine metallic particles having a tight size distribution when at least about 80% of the plurality of ultra-fine metallic particles has a diameter within a range of N±15% N, wherein N is the average diameter of the plurality of ultra-fine metallic particles, the plurality of ultra-fine metallic particles obtained in accordance with a process comprising: (a) obtaining a reducing solution comprising a reducing agent and a stabilizing agent; (b) obtaining a metal-ammonia solution comprising a metal-ammonia complex by reacting a metal nitrate with one of ammonium hydroxide and ammonia, wherein the reaction comprises only water, the metal nitrate, and either the ammonium hydroxide or the ammonia, and further wherein said metal-ammonia solution is obtained under atmospheric pressure; (c) forming a reaction mixture comprising the reducing solution and the metal-ammonia solution; (d) maintaining the reaction mixture under a suitable condition for a time sufficient to reduce the metal-ammonia complex to metallic particles; and optionally, (e) isolating the metallic particles.