Synthesis and Characterization of Copper Nanoparticles

Various synthetic routes have been developed to produce copper nanoparticles with controlled size, morphology and surface chemistry. Chemical reduction methods in aqueous and non-aqueous media remain predominant, utilising reducing agents such as ascorbic acid, sodium borohydride or hydrazine and stabilisers including polymers and surfactants to prevent aggregation and oxidation. Alternative green approaches employ biological extracts or benign reagents to generate eco-friendly nanoparticles. Thermal decomposition, sonochemical synthesis and electrochemical techniques offer further versatility in tailoring particle properties. Characterisation routinely relies on optical spectroscopy to detect surface plasmon bands, X-ray diffraction for crystalline phase identification, electron microscopy for morphological analysis and scattering techniques for size distribution. Recent advances focus on enhancing stability against oxidation, optimising surface functionalisation for catalytic, antimicrobial or conductive applications and scaling up production with reproducible batch uniformity. The practical significance of copper nanoparticles spans catalysis, ink formulations for printed electronics, antimicrobial coatings and agrochemical agents, underpinned by their high conductivity, catalytic activity and cost-effectiveness compared with noble metal counterparts.

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Synthesis and Characterization of Copper Nanoparticles publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in synthesis and characterization of copper nanoparticles across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Capping agent: A stabiliser molecule that binds to the nanoparticle surface to prevent aggregation and control growth.

Chemical reduction: A synthesis approach in which a reducing agent converts metal ions to zero-valent metal atoms, initiating nanoparticle formation.

Surface plasmon resonance: A collective oscillation of conduction electrons in metal nanoparticles upon light excitation, observed as a characteristic absorption band.

X-ray diffraction (XRD): A technique that probes the crystal structure of nanoparticles by measuring the diffraction pattern of incident X-rays.

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM): An imaging method that uses electron beams to visualise nanoparticle morphology at high resolution.

Dynamic light scattering (DLS): A measurement of the fluctuations in scattered light intensity to determine the hydrodynamic size distribution of nanoparticles in suspension.

References

1. A chemical reduction approach to the synthesis of copper nanoparticles. International Nano Letters (2015).
2. Synthesis of Copper Nanoparticles by Thermal Decomposition and Their Antimicrobial Properties. Journal of Nanomaterials (2014).
3. Green-synthesized copper nanoparticles as a potential antifungal against plant pathogens. RSC Advances (2019).
4. Oxidation of Copper Nanoparticles Protected with Different Coatings and Stored under Ambient Conditions. Journal of Nanomaterials (2018).
5. Antifungal Activity of Gelatin‐Tapioca Starch Film and Coating Containing Copper Nanoparticles against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Causing Anthracnose. Journal of Chemistry (2020).