Synthesis of Copper Oxide Nanopowder by Microwave Method

Abstract

Copper oxide nanopowder was successfully synthesized by microwave method. Copper acetate and sodium hydroxide were used as the starting precursors. The microwave power was set to 800 Watt for 2-6 min and fine black nanopowder was obtained. The nanopowder was milled and dried at 80 °C for 12 h. The structure was identified by X-ray diffractometer (XRD). A monoclinic single phase of CuO nanopowder structure was obtained without calcination steps. The morphology was investigated by scanning electron microscope (FESEM). The particle was irregular in shape and agglomerated. The chemical composition was determined by energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDXS). The chemical compositions showed the characteristic X-ray energy of copper (Kα=8.048 keV) and oxygen (Kα=0.525 keV), respectively. The functional group was investigated by fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR). The functional groups of the vibration Cu-O bending showed the wavenumber at 491-615 cm-1.