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One-step green route to narrowly dispersed copper nanocrystals

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Abstract

We report a total “green” chemical method in aqueous solution for synthesizing stable narrowly distributed copper nanoparticles with average diameter less than 5 nm in the presence of Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a stabilizer and without any inert gas protection. In our synthesis route, ascorbic acid, natural vitamin C (VC), an excellent oxygen scavenger, acts as both reducing agent and antioxidant, to reduce the metallic ion precursor, and to effectively prevent the common oxidation process of the newborn pure copper nanoclusters.

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Acknowledgements

This project is funded by NASA/Space Grant and NSF (CTS-0500402).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University, 3180A Boughton Hall, 7910, Raleigh, 27695, NC, USA

    Chunwei Wu, Brian P. Mosher & Taofang Zeng

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  1. Chunwei Wu
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  2. Brian P. Mosher
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  3. Taofang Zeng
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Correspondence to Taofang Zeng.

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Wu, C., Mosher, B.P. & Zeng, T. One-step green route to narrowly dispersed copper nanocrystals. J Nanopart Res 8, 965–969 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-005-9065-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-005-9065-2

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