Investigation of the Characterization and Synthesis of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles by Atmospheric Plasma Jet
摘要
Plasma jet (PJ) nanoparticle synthesis is a highly efficient and cutting-edge technique that offers several advantages. It is an environmentally friendly and efficient process that results in the production of nanoparticles (NPs) characterized by their small dimensions and consistent forms. In this paper, a non-thermal plasma (cold plasma) system was used to synthesise copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) using a high-voltage power supply. A high-voltage of 15 kV and an argon gas (Ar) flow rate of 2 l/min were used for three time periods (2–6 min) to synthesise copper oxide nanoparticles. Distilled water placed in a 10 ml laboratory beaker was used in the NPs synthesis. The results of X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) showed that they have a monoclinic crystal structure, and the crystalline size of these nanoparticles ranged from 23 to 28 nm. The optical properties of CuO NPs showed that they have an absorption spectrum at 310 nm with a gradual increase in the energy gap (Eg) value (2.25–2.86) ± 0.1 eV as the synthesis time of the nanoparticles increased. The Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) analysis results also showed a uniform shape and almost homogeneous distribution of CuO NPs with a grain size ranging from (15–22) ± 1.10 nm. In addition, the Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM) images of CuO NPs showed that their structure is spherical and has a uniform symmetry and arrangement, as the size of these NPs ranged from (15–30) ± 1.60 nm. Finally, the results of the zeta potential (ZP) of the CuO NPs showed negative surface charge values ranging between (-26 ± 2.2 to -20 ± 1.1) mV in all three synthesis times, which indicates the stability of these synthetic nanoparticles and the permanent stability of the surface dispersion.