Abstract
The interest in producing copper nanoparticles is high, mainly due to their enhanced properties, a wide range of possible and different applications, and the possibility for their use in the framework of catalysis. The purpose of this study is to synthesize copper nanoparticles by chemical reduction of copper sulfate with L-ascorbic acid and sodium borohydride capable to eliminate free radicals providing an antioxidant environment promoting pure copper nuclei formation. The micromixing conditions necessary for the nanoparticles production are provided by a spinning disk reactor (SDR). Relevant operational parameters, such as the disk speed velocity and the position of the reactant injectors, will lead to different product outcomes. The latter was checked by means of a dynamic light scattering instrument (DLS). At the end, depending on the adopted operating conditions, the SDR was able to produce particles between 16 nm and 39 nm, with a particle size distribution (PSD) characterized by a narrow, monomodal plot. In comparison to the smallest particles obtained in a stirred reactor tank, that is, 132 nm, the obtained results appear to be very promising.
Highlights
The interest in producing metal nanoparticles is connected to the possibility of employing them in different fields of possible applications with enhanced chemical and physical performances, such as the use in catalysis, in absorption, for chemical and biological sensors, and for photonic and electronic devices [1]
Two batch runs were carried out at different stirring rates to check the performances in term of minimum size of produced copper nanoparticles using different reducing agents
It is possible to observe that the size of the produced copper nanoparticles is smallest when sodium borohydride is used at maximum stirring conditions that are equal to 55 nm
Summary
The interest in producing metal nanoparticles is connected to the possibility of employing them in different fields of possible applications with enhanced chemical and physical performances, such as the use in catalysis, in absorption, for chemical and biological sensors, and for photonic and electronic devices [1]. Another advantage is represented by the possibility of using less-noble metals, such as titania or copper, as an alternative to gold or silver with a reduction of relevant material costs. There are some disadvantages in the use of Cu, which are mainly connected to the need to protect the particles from oxidation by the environment during storage and the difficulty to reduce copper ions under mild reaction conditions [4].
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