Green Synthesis of a Nano Copper Powder via a Facile Ethanol Thermal Reduction and Its Mechanism

Abstract

In this study, nano copper powder was prepared by a simple ethanol thermal reduction method. The reaction temperature and sodium hydroxide dosage played important roles in this reaction system. Pure nano copper powder only could be obtained when the reaction temperature was up to 160 °C and the reaction system kept alkaline. Sodium acetate was found to be the only organic product in this reaction system. Further, the mechanism and process of the thermal reduction reaction were analyzed and proposed.