Synthesis and Characterization of Monodispersed Copper Colloids in Polar Solvents

• Published in: Nanoscale research letters Vol. 4; no. 5; pp. 465 - 470
• Main Authors: Yu, Wei, Xie, Huaqing, Chen, Lifei, Li, Yang, Zhang, Chen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer New York 01.05.2009; Springer Nature B.V; Springer
• Subjects: Ascorbic acid; Bonding strength; Chemical reduction; Chemistry and Materials Science; Colloids; Copper; Ethylene; Ethylene glycol; Free radicals; Materials Science; Molecular Medicine; Nano Express; Nanochemistry; Nanoparticles; Nanoscale Science and Technology; Nanotechnology; Nanotechnology and Microengineering; Polyvinylpyrrolidone; Reagents; Reducing agents; Polyvinyl pyrrolidone; Monodispersed; Chemical synthesis; Copper colloid
• ISSN: 1556-276X; 1931-7573; 1556-276X
• DOI: 10.1007/s11671-009-9264-3

A chemical reduction method for preparing monodispersed pure-phase copper colloids in water and ethylene glycol has been reported. Owing to the reduction property of ethylene glycol, the reaction rate in ethylene glycol is higher than that in water. In addition, the amount of reducing agent can be reduced largely. Ascorbic acid plays roles as reducing agent and antioxidant of colloidal copper, due to its ability to scavenge free radicals and reactive oxygen molecules. Thermogravimetric results reveal that the as-prepared copper nanoparticles have good stability, and they begin to be oxidized at above 210 °C. Polyvinyl pyrrolidone works both as size controller and polymeric capping agents, because it hinders the nuclei from aggregation through the polar groups, which strongly absorb the copper particles on the surface with coordination bonds.