Ultra-fine spherical metal particles are precipitated from solution with finely divided white phosphorus

摘要

Ultra-fine spherical metal particles are produced by contacting an aqueous metal salt solution with finely divided white phosphorus. An Independent claim is also included for production of the above ultra-fine spherical metal particles. Preferred Features: The metal particles have less than 1 mm diameter and consist of a metal outer layer and a metal phosphide inner filling and/or layer. The aqueous solution is waste water which is passed through a bed or aqueous suspension of finely divided white phosphorus and which contains sulfate, phosphate and/or chloride salts of copper, silver, gold, platinum, palladium, iridium, osmium and/or uranium. The finely divided white phosphorus may be obtained by mixing with sand, by injecting molten phosphorus into water or as a thin layer on a finely divided inert filler.