"Synthesis of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles by using precipitation method"

 

"Synthesis of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles by using precipitation method"

Theory:

Copper oxide nanoparticles can be synthesized by the precipitation method, where copper ions react with a precipitating agent (in this case, sodium hydroxide) to form copper oxide nanoparticles.

Materials Required:

1. Copper sulfate (CuSO₄)
2. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH)
3. Distilled water
4. Volumetric flask (100 mL)
5. pH paper
6. Hot plate/stirrer
7. Centrifuge
8. Oven

Chemicals Required:

• Copper sulfate (CuSO₄)
• Sodium hydroxide (NaOH)
• Distilled water

Chemical Reaction:

Procedure:

1. Weigh 1.596 g of copper sulfate (CuSO₄) and transfer it into a 100 mL volumetric flask.
2. Add a small amount of distilled water to dissolve the copper sulfate. Then, fill the flask up to the mark with distilled water.
3. Place the volumetric flask on a hot plate/stirrer and stir the solution.
4. Heat the solution to a temperature between 50 to 60°C, ensuring complete dissolution of copper sulfate.
5. Add 100 mL of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution dropwise into the copper sulfate solution while stirring continuously.
6. Check the pH of the solution using pH paper. Continue adding NaOH solution dropwise until the pH reaches 14, which indicates high alkalinity.
7. Observe the color of the solution turning dark blue after the addition of NaOH. This color change indicates the formation of copper oxide nanoparticles.
8. Maintain the stirring and temperature for two hours to allow for proper nanoparticle formation.
9. Allow the solution to settle overnight, allowing the copper oxide nanoparticles to precipitate.
10. Carefully discard the supernatant solution and perform centrifugation to separate the copper oxide nanoparticles.
11. Dry the separated nanoparticles in an oven at 60°C for two days.
12. Once dried, the copper oxide nanoparticles are ready for further characterization and use.

 

Calculations:

Mass of copper sulfate taken = 1.596 g

Volume of the volumetric flask = 100 mL

Molar mass of CuSO₄ = (63.55 + 32.07 + (4 x 16.00)) = 159.61 g/mol

Moles of CuSO₄ = (mass of CuSO₄) / (molar mass of CuSO₄)

Moles of CuSO₄ = 1.596 g / 159.61 g/mol = 0.01 mol

Calculate the volume of water required to make a 0.1 M solution

Moles = Molarity x Volume (in liters)

0.01 mol = 0.1 M x Volume (in liters)

Volume (in liters) = 0.01 mol / 0.1 M = 0.1 L

Convert the volume to milliliters

Volume (in milliliters) = 0.1 L x 1000 mL/L = 100 mL

Therefore, to prepare a 0.1 M CuSO₄ solution using 1.596 g of CuSO₄, dissolve the given mass of CuSO₄ in distilled water and dilute it to a final volume of 100 mL.