Synthesis of Cu nanoparticles using gamma-ray irradiation reduction method

Nanometer size pure copper particles have been synthesized by gamma-ray irradiation reduction method. The solutions containing 0.5 mM copper acetate and 10 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), 0 or 8.5 vol % diethylene glycol (DEG) were prepared. They were irradiated by gamma-ray from 60Co radioactive source with the dose rate of 4.70 kGy/h and the total dose of 20.0 kGy. After gamma-ray irradiation, in solution without DEG, the absorption peaks of Cu and CuO nanoparticles were observed in UV/visible (vis) spectrum. On the other hand, in solution with DEG, the production of Cu oxide nanoparticles is decreased. Consequently, Cu and Cu2O nanoparticles were generated. The mean particle sizes of generated nanoparticles without and with DEG are about 13 and 17 nm, respectively. Furthermore, by adding DEG into the solution, more monodispersed Cu nanoparticles were generated.