LAUSR

Abstract Copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) are synthesized by chemical reduction of CuSO4·5H2O salt in presence of aniline as reducing agent. The effects of CuSO4·5H2O concentration, reaction temperature, molar ratio of [aniline]/[CuSO4·5H2O], reaction media and presence of surface capping agent of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) on the morphology and size of CuNPs are investigated. The results of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and UV-VIS-NIR spectroscopy exhibited that CuNPs tend to form cupric oxide (CuO) and cuprous oxide (Cu2O) nanoparticles in aqueous media, but choosing ethylene glycol as reaction media diminished the copper oxide formation with acting as surface capping agent. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) images showed that prepared nanoparticles had morphology of almond-like and flaky-like in water and ethylene glycol whereas presence of SDS led to formation spherical particles. Also, increasing CuSO4·5H2O concentration in ethylene glycol increased the specific surface area (SSA) of CuNPs.