Effect of pH value and calcination temperature on synthesis and characteristics of Cu-Ni nano-alloys

Cu-Ni nano-alloys were prepared using precursors synthesized by the citrate-gel method. The effects of initial solution pH value and calcination temperature on the composition, crystalline structure, purity, morphology, homogeneity and grain size of Cu-Ni nanoparticles were investigated. Both the parameters significantly affect the crystalline structure, composition and grain size. Cu-Ni alloys prepared at pH value of 1 do not contain impurities, and their compositions are Cu0.42Ni0.58, Cu0.45Ni0.55 and Cu0.52Ni0.48 reduced at 300, 400 and 500 °C, respectively. The grain size grows with the increase of calcination temperature for the precursor prepared at pH values of 1.6 and 3. The Ni content of the alloys gradually increases with the increase of calcination temperature at pH value of 3.