title: High-purity Cu nanocrystal synthesis by a dynamic decomposition method.
abstract: Cu nanocrystals are applied extensively in several fields, particularly in the microelectron, sensor, and catalysis. The catalytic behavior of Cu nanocrystals depends mainly on the structure and particle size. In this work, formation of high-purity Cu nanocrystals is studied using a common chemical vapor deposition precursor of cupric tartrate. This process is investigated through a combined experimental and computational approach. The decomposition kinetics is researched via differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis using Flynn-Wall-Ozawa, Kissinger, and Starink methods. The growth was found to be influenced by the factors of reaction temperature, protective gas, and time. And microstructural and thermal characterizations were performed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. Decomposition of cupric tartrate at different temperatures was simulated by density functional theory calculations under the generalized gradient approximation. High crystalline Cu nanocrystals without floccules were obtained from thermal decomposition of cupric tartrate at 271°C for 8 h under Ar. This general approach paves a way to controllable synthesis of Cu nanocrystals with high purity.
authors.affiliation: Clean Energy Materials and Engineering Center, School of Energy Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, No. 2006, Xiyuan Avenue, West Hi-Tech Zone, Chengdu, 611731, China, jianxian@uestc.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Xian
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Jian
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Guozhang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Liangjun
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: Chunhong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Luan
authors.forename: Yinglin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Sixin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Qing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.forename: Fei
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Chengui
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhang