Chlorides

Nanoshel’s Gold Chloride Nanopowder has long been central to innovations in electronics. Its unique properties and the advent of ‘nanotechnology’ are driving new uses in medicine, engineering and environmental management. Gold can be used to build highly-targeted methods for delivering drugs into the human body, to create conducting plastics and specialised pigments, or advanced catalysts that can purify water or air.

Nanoshel’s Gold Chloride Nanopowder is at the heart of simple, reliable tests that detect malaria and many other diseases; the tests can be used in developing economies without expensive equipment or complex supply chains. Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) work by applying a single drop of blood to a test strip. Gold nanoparticles drive a colour change on the strip that indicates whether a disease is present.

Gold’s catalytic properties – it accelerates the rate of chemical reactions without being consumed – means that it is becoming an important component in many industrial processes. It is a proven material for use in catalytic converters, which reduce the toxicity of exhaust fumes, and plays a role in the production of a range of chemicals we all use on a day to day basis. Nanoshel’s Gold Chloride Nanopowder catalysts that are currently being developed could reduce the impact of airborne and water-borne pollution. And the importance of gold in fuel cells puts the metal at the heart of technologies for a cleaner energy future.

Nanoshel’s Gold Chloride Nanopowder is a soft, yellow metal. Like all other metals, gold is also highly malleable and ductile. Moreover, gold is able to conduct both electricity and heat rather easily. The atomic number of gold is, and its elemental abbreviation is Au (from the Latin ‘aurum’ meaning ‘shining dawn’). Gold has an extremely high density at 19.3 g per cubic centimeter (slightly greater than lead).Like all other metals, gold is malleable. However, it’s much more easily pressed-out than most other metals. In fact, just one ounce of gold can be stretched to over 300 square feet. Some other properties of gold include its high resistance to oxidation.

The most important industrial use of gold is in the manufacture of electronics. Solid state electronic devices use very low voltages and currents which are easily interrupted by corrosion or tarnish at the contact points. Gold is the highly efficient conductor that can carry these tiny currents and remain free of corrosion. Electronic components made with gold are highly reliable. Gold is used in connectors, switch and relay contacts, soldered joints, connecting wires and connection strips.