Abstract:

Copper acetate was decomposed by microwave heating to form Cu2O and Cu nanoparticles and Cu/Cu2O core/shell nanostructures. The crystal structures, compositions and morphologies of the products were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction(XRD), transmission electron microscopy(TEM) and scanning electron microscopy(SEM). The diameter of the as-prepared Cu/Cu2O core/shell nanostructures is about 500 nm. Controlled experiments found that polymerization degree of ethylene glycol, reaction time, surfactant or ligand have great effects on the morphology and composition of the products. Lower polymerization degree and longer reaction time facilitate the reduction of copper acetate to form Cu nanoparticles.

Key words: Cu, Cu2O, core/shell structure, microwave, heat decomposition