Synthesis of W- Cu- Ag Nanopowders Produced by a Co-Precipitation Process

Abstract

A homogeneous precipitation process was employed to prepare nanosized W-10%wtCu-10%wtAg powders using ammonium meta tungstate, copper nitrate and silver nitrate as precursors. The initial precipitates were obtained by reacting ammonium meta tungstate, copper nitrate and silver nitrate solutions under certain PH and temperature. In order to synthesis W-Cu-Ag composite powders, the initial precipitates washed, dried, and then calcined in air in order to prepare CuWO4-x, Ag2W4O13 and WO3 oxide powders for the next step reduction. The reduction was carried out in a hydrogen atmosphere to form the final W-Cu-Ag nanocomposite powders. The powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. The morphologies of the powders were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).