Copper-based nanoparticles prepared from copper (II) acetate bipyridine complex

Abstract

We report the synthesis of CuO, Cu/Cu2O and Cu2O/CuO nanoparticles (NPs) from the single copper (II) acetate bipyridine complex by three different methods:microwave-assisted, solvothermal and borohydride. Presence of bipyridine ligand in the copper complex would impose no need in additional stabilization during synthesis. The phases of formed NPs were identified by X-ray diffraction. CuO NPs of ~11 nm were obtained via solvothermal synthesis from alkaline solution at 160°C. The Cu/Cu2O NPs of ~80 nm were produced via microwave-assisted polyol procedure at 185-200°C, where ethylene glycol can play a triple role as a solvent, a reducing agent and a surfactant. The Cu2O/CuO NPs of ~16 nm were synthesized by a borohydride method at room temperature. Interplanar spacing calculated from the selected-area electron diffraction data confirmed the formation of Cu, CuO and Cu2O phases in respective samples. All NPs are stable and can be used for various applications including biomedicine.

Keywords

• Copper (II) acetate complex
• copper and copper oxides nano-particles
• solvothermal and microwave-assisted polyol synthesis
• borohydride method