Properties of ultrafine copper-containing powders prepared by a sonoelectrochemical method

Abstract

In this paper, we analyze the factors that influence the particle size and morphology of copper powders prepared by electrodeposition from solution at increased current densities (0.5–1.0 A/cm2) under ultrasonication (sonoelectrochemical method). The cathode current density and current pulse duration are shown to have the most significant effect on the particle size of the powders. Reducing the current density and pulse duration leads to a reduction in particle size. Our results demonstrate that the method allows one to obtain copper powders with an average particle size of 100 nm exhibiting high antibacterial activity and capable of suppressing the growth of pathogenic bacteria.