Copper azide prepared by reaction of hollow CuO microspheres with moist HN3 gas

Copper azide was successfully prepared by reaction of hollow CuO microspheres with moist HN3 gas. Porous CuO precursor with 200 nm shell was obtained by sintering PS (polystrene)/Cu core-shell structures in air. The PS/Cu composites were synthesized by electroless copper plating using PS as templates. The effects of reacting time on microstructures and compositions of copper azide were investigated. Results shows that copper azide can be synthesized in only 12 h and increasing time has no obvious influence on copper azide growth but promotes the hydrolyzed product forming.