Synthesis and Characterization of Cu-10-20wt%Ni Nanopowders by a Chemical Precipitation Route

Abstract

In this research Cu-Ni nanostructure powders were prepared by using a chemical procedure including initial precipitating, calcining the precipitates and reducing the calcined powders. The influence of nickel contents on the characteristics of the synthesized powders was investigated. Copper and nickel sulfate and sodium hydroxide were used as raw materials. CuSO4.3Cu(OH)2, NiOOH and Ni(OH)2 precipitates were obtained by addition of sodium hydroxide into aqueous copper and nickel sulfate solution. Oxide powders were produced by calcinations of precipitates. Considering the information obtained from the TGA test, calcination was done on precipitates. Copper-nickel nanostructure powders were synthesized by reduction of calcined powders in a hydrogen atmosphere. Eventually powders were characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Crystallite size of final synthesized powders was in the range of 30 to 33 nm.