Comparative study of metal clusters induced in aqueous solutions by γ-rays, electron or C6+ ion beam irradiation

Metal nanoclusters are induced for the first time by C6+ ion beam irradiation in aqueous solution. The results concerning monometallic silver and bimetallic gold-platinum systems are compared with those obtained by γ-rays and electron beam irradiation. The effects of linear energy transfer and dose rate on the formation yield, the size and the structure of the clusters are discussed.