Effects of reaction parameters on the preparation of submicron Cu particles by liquid phase reduction method and the study of reaction mechanism

•The feasibility of the reduction reaction was estimated by measuring the oxidation potential of ascorbic acid at different pH.•Some contrast experiments were carried out to explore the optimum reaction conditions.•The reaction process was varied at different solution pH.•PVP was effective in inhibiting the agglomeration of Cu particles by exerting the steric effect.

Submicron Cu particles were prepared by reducing Cu2 + ions with ascorbic acid via liquid phase reduction method. The oxidation potential of ascorbic acid (C6H8O6) was measured to evaluate the feasibility of the redox reaction at different pH. Ascorbic acid was able to reduce the Cu2 + to Cu particles when the solution pH varied between 3 and 7. The effects of the reaction parameters, including the solution pH, the concentration of PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone) and Cu2 +, on the preparation of Cu particles were also investigated. The reaction path varied with the solution pH. Cu particles could be directly reduced from Cu2 + at pH 3, whereas they are reduced through Cu2O at pH 5 or 7. PVP was effective in inhibiting the agglomeration of Cu particles through steric effect.

Graphical abstractThe feasibility of the redox reaction was evaluated by recording the potential change of ascorbic acid with solution pH. The effects of reaction parameters on the preparation of Cu particles were also investigated. Furthermore, in order to study the reaction mechanism, the reaction process was explored by recording the XRD patterns of the specimens collected at different time points.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide