May 9 2013
Nanoparticles research is gaining increasing interest due to their unique properties, such as increased electrical conductivity, toughness and ductility, increased hardness and strength of metals and alloys, luminescent efficiency of semiconductors, formability of ceramics.
This article discusses about the properties and applications of copper oxide nanoparticles. Copper is a Block D, Period 4 element, while oxygen is a Block P, Period 2 element.
Copper oxide nanoparticles appear as a brownish-black powder. They can be reduced to metallic copper when exposed to hydrogen or carbon monoxide under high temperature. They are graded harmful to humans and as dangerous for the environment with adverse effect on aquatic life.
Chemical Properties
The chemical properties of copper oxide nanoparticles are outlined in the following table.
| Chemical Data |
| Chemical symbol |
CuO |
| CAS No. |
1317-38-0 |
| Group |
Copper 11
Oxygen 16 |
| Electronic configuration |
Copper [Ar] 3d10 4s1
Oxygen [He] 2s2 2p4 |
| Chemical Composition |
| Element |
Content (%) |
| Copper |
79.87 |
| Oxygen |
20.10 |
Physical Properties
The physical properties of copper oxide nanoparticles are given in the following table.
| Properties |
Metric |
Imperial |
| Density |
6.31 g/cm3 |
0.227 lb/in3 |
| Molar mass |
79.55 g/mol |
|
- |
Thermal Properties
The thermal properties of copper oxide nanoparticles are provided in the table below.
| Properties |
Metric |
Imperial |
| Melting point |
1201°C |
2194°F |
| Boiling point |
2000°C |
3632°F |
Manufacturing Process
Copper oxide nanoparticles can be synthesized using the aqueous precipitation method. In this method, copper acetate is used as a precursor and sodium hydroxide as a stabilizing agent.
Single phase monoclinic structure of the copper oxide nanoparticles is revealed using X-ray diffraction. The rectangular morphology of the copper oxide nanoparticles is revealed using the scanning electron microscopy.
Applications
The key applications of copper oxide nanoparticles are as follows:
- As burning rate catalyst in rocket propellant. It can greatly improve the homogeneous propellant burning rate, lower pressure index, and also perform better as a catalyst for the AP composite propellant
- Can be applied to the catalyst, superconducting materials, thermoelectric materials, sensing materials, glass, ceramics and other fields
- As ceramic resistors, magnetic storage media, gas sensors, near-infrared tilters, photoconductive and photothermal applications
- As semiconductors, solar energy transformation, and high-tech superconductors.
Source: AZoNano