Preparation of a Composite of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles with Carbon by Exploding Graphite Rod in Aqueous Suspension

Abstract

In this work, the effect of preparing a composite of copper oxide nanoparticles with carbon on some of its optical properties was studied. The composite preparing process was carried out by exploding graphite electrodes in an aqueous suspension of copper oxide. The properties of the plasma which is formed during the explosion were studied using emission spectroscopy in order to determine the most important elements that are present in the media. The electron’s density and their energy, which is the main factor in the composite process, were determined. The particle properties were studied before and after the exploding process. The XRD showed an additional peak in the copper oxides pattern corresponding to the hexagonal graphite structure for the composite. The UV-visible absorbance for the composite was significantly enhanced. The direct bandgap decreased from 2.55 to 2.4 eV, and the indirect bandgap decreased from 1.1 to 1 eV, for the composite.