Preparation of Cu 2O nanoparticles dispersed in NH 2-terminated polyethyleneoxide matrix

Abstract

Small Copper (I) oxide, Cu2O, nanoparticles dispersed in diamine-terminated polyethyleneoxide (PEO-NH2) matrix have been successfully prepared by vacuum evaporation of copper onto the molten PEO-NH2. The obtained composite were characterized by TEM, electron diffraction, TG-DTA and FT-IR spectroscopy. The stable composite, in which the Cu2O nanoparticles are stabilized through interaction between NH2 chain end groups of PEO molecules and Cu2O nanoparticles was obtained when the samples were heat-treated at 110 ° C. The mean size of the Cu2O nanoparticles increased from 2.5 to 3.5 nm in diameter upon increasing the amount of initial Cu deposition. The obtained composite material having a waxy texture was soluble in many solvents without aggregation and can be handled as a simple chemical compound for starting material in various applications.