[The effect of ethylene glycol on the morphology of Cu2O nanoparticles synthesized in w/o microemulsion by gamma-irradiation].

ABSTRACT

Cuprous oxide nanocubes were successfully prepared in w/o microemulsions by gamma-irradiation in the presence of ethylene glycol (EG). Absorption spectrum, XRD, TEM, HRTEM and SEM were used to characterize the as-prepared nanoparticles. The characteristic peak of Cu2O of absorption spectra of the irradiated microemulsions red-shifts apparently with the EG increasing, showing that the as-prepared Cu2O particle size becomes larger. TEM images verify this point and indicate that Cu2O nanoparticles become uniform with the increase of EG. The results indicated that EG played an important role in the structures of cuprous oxide nanoprticles. Firstly, EG increased the viscosity of water-pools of microemulsions which affected the reactivity of hydrated electrons and finally influenced the reduction of Cu2+ and the precipitation of Cu2O. Secondly, EG reduced the rigidity of the interface of microemulsions and enhanced the mass exchange among water pools which impacted the nucleation and precipitation of Cu2O. Thirdly, EG adsorbed certain crystal faces of Cu2O and influenced the final morphology of Cu2O.