Experimental Investigation on the Synthesis and Size Control of Copper Nanoparticle via Chemical Reduction Method

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Chemical Engineering Department, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, I.R. Iran

2 Chemical Engineering Department, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, I.R. Iran Production and Separation Research Group, Research Center for Mineral Industries, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, I.R. Iran

Abstract

In this study, synthesis of copper nanoparticles and effect of the reaction conditions on the particle size were
investigated. The copper nanoparticles were synthesized and stabilized in a narrow temperature range in the
presence of polyvinylpyrrolidone under nitrogen atmosphere. Reaction temperature and concentration ratio of the reducing agent to the precursor (R/P) as two main conditions influenced the reaction progress and size on the copper nanoparticles. This study showedn that the copper nanoparticles were formed when parameter R/P was greater than 2 (4 and 6) in the temperatures ranges of 60 to 75oC. The averaged size of the synthesized copper nanoparticles in the optimized conditions was about 30 nm. The rResults showed that the synthesized copper nanoparticles were oxidized due to the exposure to air for a long time and thereafter it re-dissolves in the aqueous solution.

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