Effects of reaction parameters on the preparation of submicron Cu particles by liquid phase reduction method and the study of reaction mechanism

Abstract

Abstract Submicron Cu particles were prepared by reducing Cu 2 + ions with ascorbic acid via liquid phase reduction method. The oxidation potential of ascorbic acid (C 6 H 8 O 6 ) was measured to evaluate the feasibility of the redox reaction at different pH. Ascorbic acid was able to reduce the Cu 2 + to Cu particles when the solution pH varied between 3 and 7. The effects of the reaction parameters, including the solution pH, the concentration of PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone) and Cu 2 + , on the preparation of Cu particles were also investigated. The reaction path varied with the solution pH. Cu particles could be directly reduced from Cu 2 + at pH 3, whereas they are reduced through Cu 2 O at pH 5 or 7. PVP was effective in inhibiting the agglomeration of Cu particles through steric effect.