Deposition of spherical and bracelet-like Cu2O nanoparticles within the matrix of anion exchangers via reduction of tetrachlorocuprate anions

Abstract

Considering the biocidal, sorption and photocatalytic performance of parent Cu2O, in order to prevent the release of its nanostructures into the cleaned media, a Cu2O deposit was introduced into the matrix of a synthetic porous material whereby a hybrid ion exchanger (HIX) was obtained. Two commercially available strongly basic anion exchangers with respectively a macroreticular (Amberlite IRA 900Cl, M/An) and gel-like structure (Amberlite IRA 402OH, G/An) were used as the supporting materials. The Cu2O deposit was introduced into the anion exchanger in two steps, conducted batchwise at ambient temperature. First, the anion exchanger functional groups were transformed into the CuCl42- form and then the polymeric intermediate product was contacted with an alkaline reducer solution to precipitate Cu2O. The effects of many factors were investigated to optimize the process of obtaining HIX. When ascorbic acid (not glucose) was used as the reducer, it was possible to introduce as much as 9.7 wt% and 7.3 wt% of Cu2O into respectively the M/An and the G/An. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy with EDS analysis, as well as FTIR and Raman spectroscopy. The morphologies of the obtained products were found to be sensitive to the type of basic anion exchangers used. Microscopic analysis showed that the Cu2O in both types of used polymeric matrices was in the form of spherical particles of a size not exceeding 1.0 μm. However, depending on the type of supporting exchanger these particles occurred singly or in the form of bracelets-like clusters.