Optimisation of the green synthesis of Cu/Cu2O particles for maximum yield production and reduced oxidation for electronic applications

Abstract

Taguchi method with an L8 orthogonal array and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to evaluate the effect of pH, amount of Cynara scolymus L.(artichoke) extract (AE), copper salt concentration (SC) and temperature (T) on the optimization of green synthesis of copper microparticles with respect to the maximization of the yield production and, for the first time, with respect to the minimization of the oxidation degree of the copper microparticles. Results indicate that pH and AE have greater influence on the Cu/Cu2O microparticles yield. While the pH, AE and T have greater influence on the oxidation degree of the Cu/Cu2O microparticles. XRD confirmed the minimization of Cu2O phase over Cu/Cu2O mixture, reducing Cu2O from 83% to 31%. Spherical particles of 324–711 nm were observed and the electrical resistivity of Cu/Cu2O (69/31 wt%) was 1.52 × 10 −3 Ω.cm.