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Fabrication and characterization of copper nanoparticles using thermal reduction: The effect of nonionic surfactants on size and yield of nanoparticles

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Abstract

Thermal reduction has been applied to the preparation of copper nanoparticles (Cu-NPs) using three kinds of nonionic surfactants (Triton X-100, Tween-80, and dodecylamine). The Cu-NPs were formed by decomposition of copper(II) oxalate in presence of triphenylphosphine. The effect of the surfactants on the formation of the Cu-NPs was studied via X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive analysis of X-rays, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric differential thermal analyses, and Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy. It is shown that the Cu-NPs have an fcc crystal structure. Depending on the surfactant used, Cu-NPs with diameters between 8 and 20 nm can be prepared. The smallest Cu-NPs (8 nm) were formed in the presence of micelles of dodecylamine (yield 49%), while the largest particles (20 nm) were obtained with Triton X-100 (yield 99%). The use of Triton X-100 results in the highest yield and most uniform Cu-NPs.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the University of Isfahan for financially supporting this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nanotechnology Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, 81746-73441, I.R. of Iran

    Mohammad Hossein Habibi, Reza Kamrani & Reza Mokhtari

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  1. Mohammad Hossein Habibi
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  2. Reza Kamrani
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  3. Reza Mokhtari
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Correspondence to Mohammad Hossein Habibi.

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Habibi, M.H., Kamrani, R. & Mokhtari, R. Fabrication and characterization of copper nanoparticles using thermal reduction: The effect of nonionic surfactants on size and yield of nanoparticles. Microchim Acta 171, 91–95 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-010-0413-2

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