Open AccessEffects of process parameters on Cu‐nanoparticle synthesis in tetraethylene glycol through microwave irradiation
Author(s) -
Lim Choi Woo,
Lee JongHyun
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
micro and nano letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.25
H-Index - 31
ISSN - 1750-0443
DOI - 10.1049/mnl.2019.0459
Subject(s) - pulmonary surfactant , nanoparticle , irradiation , materials science , microwave irradiation , particle size , copper , bimodality , microwave , polyvinyl alcohol , chemical engineering , nuclear chemistry , chemistry , nanotechnology , organic chemistry , composite material , catalysis , metallurgy , galaxy , nuclear physics , physics , quantum mechanics , engineering
Copper nanoparticles were successfully synthesised through microwave irradiation of a copper‐oxide particle precursor dispersed in tetraethylene glycol. Initial results obtained after 4–6 min of irradiation, without the use of a surfactant, indicated nanoparticle aggregation and particle‐size bimodality by incomplete reduction. However, the said aggregation and bimodality were observed to be significantly suppressed with accelerated reduction upon addition of an alcohol‐type surfactant. Consequently, Cu nanoparticles measuring 74 and 79 nm in size were successfully synthesised by performing short irradiations lasting 3 and 4 min, respectively.