Copper Particle Preparation via Cu2O Assembly and Two-Stage Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing copper particles are complex, economically inefficient, and result in particles with poor crystallinity and susceptibility to oxidation, making them unsuitable for electronic materials.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the dissolution of a copper carboxyl compound and a copper salt in a solvent to create a copper(II) precursor solution, followed by the addition of a weak reducing agent to form spherical Cu2O assembly particles, which are then reduced to copper particles using a mild reducing agent, with the option of adding surfactants to control size and shape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional copper particle making methods (mechanical grinding, co-precipitation, spraying, sol-gel, electrolysis) are used, then copper particles can be produced, but the process complexity increases and economical efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters by using copper carboxyl compounds as precursors instead of conventional copper salts, and employs a two-stage reduction process with different reducing agents (hydrazine followed by sodium borohydride) to achieve better particle quality with controlled complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite approach by combining copper carboxyl compound precursor with specific reducing agents and additives to form a composite chemical system that produces high-quality copper particles while managing process complexity
2Productivity
If strong reducing agent (hydrazine-based) is used to reduce copper(II) precursor, then reduction reaction proceeds rapidly, but Cu2O particle size increases greatly and shape control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the reduction process into two distinct stages: first using hydrazine to reduce copper(II) to Cu2O, then using sodium borohydride to reduce Cu2O to copper particles. This segmentation allows control over particle size and shape while maintaining productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by first forming Cu2O particles with controlled morphology using hydrazine, then subsequently reducing them to copper particles. This preliminary formation step enables better control over final particle characteristics
3Quantity of substance
If copper particles are produced with conventional methods, then copper particles are obtained, but they exhibit strong tendency to oxidize into CuO and show bad crystallinity, deteriorating electric conductivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical environment parameters by using copper carboxyl compounds as precursors and employing a two-stage reduction process, which produces copper particles with better crystallinity and oxidation resistance while maintaining production efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses Cu2O as an intermediary substance in the two-stage reduction process. The copper carboxyl compound is first reduced to Cu2O, which then serves as the intermediate before final reduction to copper particles, improving product quality
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method allows for the rapid, economical production of copper particles with good crystallinity and resistance to oxidation, suitable for use in electronic materials, while maintaining uniform size and shape.
Implementation Method 1
dissolving a copper carboxyl compound expressed by the following chemistry figure 1, or a carboxyl group-containing compound expressed by the following chemistry figure 2 and a copper salt, in a solvent to prepare a copper(II) precursor solution
Implementation Method 2
putting a weak reducing agent with a standard reduction potential of -0.2 to -0.05V to the prepared copper(II) precursor solution to assemble a plurality of Cu 2 O fine particles
Implementation Method 3
reducing the spherical Cu 2 O assembly particles into copper particles by using a reducing agent
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A preparation method of a copper particle composition includes dissolving a copper carboxyl compound, or a carboxyl group-containing compound and a copper salt, in a solvent to prepare a copper(II) precursor solution; putting a weak reducing agent with a standard reduction potential of -0.2 to -0.05V to the prepared copper(II) precursor solution to assemble a plurality of Cu2O fine particles having an average diameter of 1 to 100 nm with a standard deviation of 0 to 10 %, thereby forming spherical Cu2O assembly particles having an average diameter of 0.1 to 10 μm with a standard deviation of 0 to 40 %; reducing the spherical Cu2O assembly particles into copper particles by using a reducing agent; and separating the copper particles from the result product. Thus, copper particles can be produced fast, economically, and the obtained copper particles have good crystallinity and good resistance against oxidation.