Experimental Investigation on the Synthesis and Size Control of Copper Nanoparticle via Chemical Reduction Method

In this study, synthesis of copper nanoparticles and effect of the reaction conditions on the particle size were investigated. The copper nanoparticles were synthesized and stabilized in a narrow temperature range in the presence of polyvinylpyrrolidone under nitrogen atmosphere. Reaction temperature and concentration ratio of the reducing agent to the precursor (R/P) as two main conditions influenced the reaction progress and size on the copper nanoparticles. This study showedn that the copper nanoparticles were formed when parameter R/P was greater than 2 (4 and 6) in the temperatures ranges of 60 to 75 o C. The averaged size of the synthesized copper nanoparticles in the optimized conditions was about 30 nm. The rResults showed that the synthesized copper nanoparticles were oxidized due to the exposure to air for a long time and thereafter it re-dissolves in the aqueous solution.