Synthesis of Cu@Ag Nanoparticles with a Core–Shell Structure Stabilized with Oxyethylated Carboxylic Acid

Abstract

Bimetallic Cu@Ag nanoparticles with a core–shell structure were synthesized by reduction of copper 2-[2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy]acetate with hydrazine hydrate in benzyl alcohol, followed by reducing the silver ions on the copper surface by transmetallation reaction. The sinthesized nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and optical spectroscopy methods. The effect of the synthesis conditions such as temperature, time, Ag: Cu molar ratio, the rate of silver nitrate addition, on the uniformity of silver coating on the surface of copper nuclei was studied.