Synthesis of copper and copper(I) oxide nanoparticles by thermal decomposition of a new precursor

Abstract

The present investigation reports, the novel synthesis of nanoparticles Cu and Cu 2O using thermal decomposition and its physicochemical characterization. The nanoparticles copper powder have been prepared using [Bis(salicylidiminato)copper(II)], [Cu(sal) 2], as precursor. Cu nanoparticles are initially formed and subsequently oxidized to form Cu 2O. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis demonstrated nanoparticles Cu 2O with an average diameter of about 10 nm. As-prepared copper nano-particles were characterized by X-ray diffraction measurements (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDAX), and Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR). XRD analysis revealed broad pattern for fcc crystal structure of copper metal and cubic cuprite structure for Cu 2O. Optical absorption measured by UV–visible spectroscopy was used to monitor oxidation course of Cu → Cu 2O and to determine the band-gap energy about 2.4 eV for Cu 2O nanoshells.